The station was opened on 31 March 1858 by the Rhymney Railway and was once a busy junction, serving lines to Newport (via Bedwas) and Brecon (the Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway) as well as the current route, but the latter pair were both closed to passengers on 31 December 1962 and completely in 1963–5.

The junction site and trackbed of the old Brecon line is still visible north of the station.

The Monday to Saturday daytime service pattern is four trains an hour southbound to Cardiff Central: three continue to Barry Island and one to Bridgend.

Northbound two trains an hour run to Rhymney, one skipping intermediate stations.

Bus services run to Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, and Ystrad Mynach UK railway stations: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z