New ticket vending machines are being installed at a number of railway stations in Caerphilly County Borough.

Transport for Wales (TfW) has started introducing the machines, as well as new contactless smartcards, across Wales.

New machines have already been installed at stations in Bargoed, Brithdir, Gilfach Fargoed, Hengoed, Pengam, Pontlottyn, Rhymney, Tirphil and Ystrad Mynach.

Hengoed and Tirphil railway stations now have ticket machines for the first time.

It is hoped the new machines and smartcards will help in the battle against coronavirus.

The smartcards will allow commuters to buy weekly, monthly and annual season tickets, with smartcard validation machines also set to be installed at stations on the Rhymney line.

The validation machines are expected to be up and running by Monday (August 10).

TfW is also aiming to install the validation machines across the entire South Wales Metro network.

In total, 238 new ticket machines will be installed at 143 railway stations across the Wales and Borders network.

TfW CEO James Price said: “Improving the customer experience is one of our top priorities and installing new, modern ticket machines and providing smartcards is an essential step forward.

“We are facing many challenges as a result of Covid-19 and providing contactless options improves the safety of colleagues and staff and will really help with our social distancing measures.”