THE Heart of Wales train line, which runs through Ammanford and the Towy Valley will see extra journeys for morning commuters.

The new services for journeys between Llandovery and Swansea will create 20 new train crew and depot jobs.

A survey by the Heart of Wales Line Forum found a great demand for new services and the need to adjust timetables to better serve commuters.

The times for the new services, funded by the Welsh Government, have been published in the Arriva Trains Wales timetable due to start from May 17, 2015.

Announcing the additional services, Transport Minister Edwina Hart said: "These investments demonstrate the Welsh Government’s commitment to investing in public transport, which is a vital way for many people, including some of the most vulnerable in our society, to access jobs and services.

"The survey by the Heart of Wales Line Forum clearly demonstrated the benefits to commuters, local businesses, tourism and university students of these additional and improved services."

Mansel Williams, Chair of the Heart of Wales Line Forum who were responsible for major campaigns over the past two years to secure additional services for the line, said: "These new services are excellent news and provide a vital service for residents, commuters, tourists and students in the area.

"I am delighted the Minister and Arriva Trains have been able to find a way to deliver these additional trains which I am sure will provide a significant boost to the local economy.

"This is the result of years of discussions that we have had with the Minister which resulted in the committee being tasked with proving the need for a more frequent service.

"We are delighted that our work has now resulted in developments for this important transport corridor.

"We are absolutely thrilled that our committee has been able to instigate and carry through the process that has resulted in such a positive outcome, and we thank the Minister and her team for responding in such a positive way and for allowing and enabling us to unlock further potential for our railway lines.”