The T1C Traws Cymru pilot between Aberystwyth and Cardiff will continue until at least December, Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates has announced today.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The 6 month extension to the current pilot will allow the Welsh Government to better asses the needs and travel patterns of customers, taking account of the summer tourist season and beyond, before making a long term decision on the service.
Ken Skates said:
“When we introduced the T1C service a little under six months ago, we did so to facilitate direct bus travel between west Wales and Cardiff. We’ve since seen this service used by a variety of groups and individuals, from students to shoppers to holiday goers.
“At the same time, however, we have made no secret that the service is not as popular as we might have expected. This can perhaps be explained by the introduction of a commercial service run by Stagecoach Megabus earlier this year covering largely the same route, albeit with notable exceptions.
“Given this, I think there is great merit in extending the pilot for another 6 months. This will ensure any long term decision on the future of the service is made with a full year of data, whilst allowing us to continue to talk to passenger groups, bus operators, councils and interested parties about the service they would like to see and how best to achieve it.
“I’m delighted that our Traws Cymru service continues to offer regular bus travel to communities across Wales who might otherwise be without the option of public transport. I’m pleased to announce that the T1C will continue to be part of that offering until at least December.”
T1C service stops at all stops between Aberystwyth - Aberearon - Lampeter and Carmarthen and then operates limited stops between Carmarthen and Cardiff via Cross Hands, Swansea Bus Station and Bridgend Outlet Village.