Transport document suggests Cardiff Bus Station could be open soon

Ted Peskett Local Democracy Reporter

An opening date for Cardiff’s highly-anticipated new bus station finally looks imminent.

A report published by the transport commissioner’s office shows buses could be operating there by June 10.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands this is now looking unlikely to be the opening date as things stand. However it is hoped the opening will not be too far away from that date.

Routes

The traffic commissioner’s office report, titled Notices and proceedings for Wales, shows a number of applications from bus companies to change the routes of certain services. 

An application in the report from Stagecoach proposes operating one of its services from Cardiff Bus Interchange from June 10, 2024.

The application relates to the number 124 Stagecoach service which operates between Maerdy and Cardiff.

The date has not been confirmed by Transport for Wales (TfW).

Confirmation

A TfW spokesman said: “We are currently working with our partners and operators to finalise our plans.

“We will then be in a position to confirm a date.”

Earlier this year TfW said that the bus station would open in spring 2024.

When approached for an update on April 15 TfW said they were carrying out the final stages of the internal fit-out works and that an announcement on an opening date would be made “in the coming weeks”.

The internal fit-out works include final decorations and commissioning of the utilities and services.

A TfW spokesman said at the time: “In the apron area where buses arrive and depart we’ll be carrying out the finishing touches including installing handrails and white lining.

“We’ll carry out snagging checks before handover.

“Once the fit-out is complete we’ll need to conduct trials to fully test the facility and iron out any teething issues before opening.”

Wide discussion

Images were circulating on social media in April showing a bus entering the bus station and later on in the month another picture was shared showing some of the bus bays from above.

Cardiff Council approved plans for the bus station in November 2018.

The city has been without a bus station since 2015 and the question of when exactly it will open has been widely discussed.

It was originally due to be completed by 2022 and Cardiff Council said when plans were approved it hoped the scheme would be operational by 2021.

A curved eight-storey building which is part of the scheme was set to open in stages with the first phase due to open in spring 2023.

It was later reported that this would not take place until the end of 2023.

The Welsh Government said in June 2022 that TfW would conduct a fit-out of the building once construction was complete in order to get the station ready for passengers to use from summer 2023.

It was confirmed in January 2024 that the bus station development would open fully in spring 2024 instead of opening in stages.

The scheme will consist of 14 bus bays, 100,000sq ft of office space, retail units, and 318 apartments.

TfW will be responsible for the bus station but the remainder of the site will be leased and operated by third parties.

The bus station will be used by buses only once opened and coaches will continue with their current arrangements but TfW is exploring options on how coach accommodation in Cardiff can be improved in the future.