TrawsCymru’s electric bus service connecting Carmarthen and Aberystwyth has reported a 65% surge in passenger numbers this year.
After their launch at the end of March 2023 the buses were noted for having carried over 100,000 passengers within the first six months, with the recent figures reflecting a growth on the route compared to 2022/2023.
The vehicles save 3kg of CO2 per round trip according to Transport for Wales (TfW), and have been used to promote sustainable travel across the region. Promotional offers have bolstered the service’s popularity and include a summer group ticket for two adults and two children for £10 per day, an integrated rail and bus ticket for affordable travel from Cardiff to Aberystwyth, and a 50% discount on journeys during September.
Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport Ken Skates says: “The introduction of these greener, modern, more comfortable buses has clearly encouraged more people to use the TrawsCymru T1 service and I’m grateful to everyone involved in making this happen.”
Mark Jacobs, Contracts and Performance Manager for TrawsCymru adds: “Launching the all-electric TrawsCymru T1 service last year was a significant moment in the story of TfW and our development into a truly multi-modal organisation.
“Feedback on the new service has been overwhelmingly positive and the increase in passenger numbers demonstrates how an improved public transport offering can positively influence people’s travel behaviours.
“The success of the new T1 fleet is the result of an effective partnership with the teams at Carmarthenshire County Council and First Cymru, who have provided invaluable support to making this vital Carmarthen to Aberystwyth bus service the high-end public transport offering that it is today.”
