Consultation on express coach service between north and south Wales launched
Transport for Wales is launching a public consultation on proposals for a potential new express coach service that would transform connectivity between north and south Wales.
The proposed service would run between Bangor and Carmarthen, cutting journey times by 90 minutes compared to current public transport options.
The express-stop service would call at key town centres and railway stations along Wales’ western coast, including Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, and Aberystwyth.
Connections
With an expected journey time of 4 hours 45 minutes, the service is being proposed to provide a faster, more convenient travel option for tourists and university students, while improving connections between communities along the western corridor.
Plans include running up to eight coaches per day, with modern on-board facilities suitable for longer journeys and integration with rail services for onward travel.
The public consultation period will run for four weeks from 3rd March, with an online ‘have your say’ page where people can learn about the proposals and share their views via a survey.
Engagement events
TfW will also host three in-person engagement events across the route to meet bus users and potential users to talk more about the service.
- Monday 10th March, 11am – 2pm, Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor University, Pontio, Deiniol Rd, Bangor LL57 2TQ
- Thursday 13th March, 12pm – 3pm, Aberystwyth Bus Station, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH
- Friday 14th March, 12pm – 3pm, Carmarthen Bus Station, Bay 1, Blue Street, Carmarthen, SA31 3LQ
Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales said: “This proposed service represents an important step in improving sustainable transport options between north and south Wales.
“If you have any thoughts about the proposed service, we encourage everyone to take part in the online survey and help shape this significant transport link for Wales.”
The online platform will be available at from 3rd March here: North to South Wales Express Coach Proposal | Have your say by Transport for Wales
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Um, glacial, the speed of a million tons of ice would overtake the workings of this country, I thought this had been achieved years ago, I was wrong…
‘… I thought this had been achieved years ago …’
It was. I recall travelling on a long-distance bus from Chester to Cardiff decades back. Very comfortable, and a really scenic run – even included a ‘relief and refreshment’ stop at Bishop’s Meadow, outside Brecon.
But if you had time issues it was hopeless, because the journey took for ever.
I refer to that particular route…
Fair comment. I can see the sense of this new service, since, by arguably the shortest route, it links a major stop on the north’s railway line with a major stop on the south’s. Presumably the idea is that passengers on the service would be able relatively easily to travel on by rail to parts of the north and the south which they might ultimately want to reach. And that it will arguably reduce the travel time on those earlier and longer ‘Trans-Cambria’ routes, such as the one I remember. There may indeed be a valid argument that it ought… Read more »
A railway is needed, not more buses!
Exactly
Buses much cheaper and quicker to do in the short term. However, a successful bus service between Carmarthen and Bangor will strengthen the business case for a new west coast rail line in the long term because it will help prove the demand exists.
Cheaper and debatably quicker, but they can’t hold nearly as much passengers as trains. Trust me, the buses are jam packed when leaving Aberystwyth, Caerfyrddin etc, often people are denied boarding. No country should say they don’t have a decent railway line connecting it’s polar ends.
A west coast rail route would inevitably be far slower than the route through the Marches and the cost of the track alone would be impossible to repay from the fares….
This service if popular can help build the case for a rail connection.
I imagine for such a long journey its going to need its own toilet facilities, are these buses able to offer that? If its going to to link to link rail network will it offer through ticketing facilities? Whilst I notice that they are running up from Carmarthen to Bangor, why not have some of the services to go Llandudno running parallel with the Conwy Valley line?
The service should use coaches not the buses in the pictures. They should also have a comfort stop in a location where there are lots of local businesses for tourist passengers to spend money.
Doesn’t stop at Lampeter? That’s a university town as well
Not a bad idea but why not all the way to swansea.
Worth a try, but not at the expense of the existing T2 and T22 service.