A new daily long-distance coach service connecting north and south Wales will begin operating between Bangor and Carmarthen on Sunday 25 October.
The service, named TaithCymru, will call at Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron. It is expected to reduce journey times between the north and south by more than an hour compared with existing public transport options.
Tickets will go on sale from 10:00 on Tuesday 6 October through an online booking system being developed and operated by Transport for Wales (TfW). Fares are still being finalised and will be published when the booking system goes live.
TaithCymru is one of the Welsh Government’s 100-day commitments and forms part of plans to develop a more integrated public transport network across Wales.
The service is intended to improve access to employment, education, healthcare and leisure for communities along the route. It will operate alongside existing services, including TrawsCymru, local bus networks and Fflecsi.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper said:I am delighted that we have delivered on our 100-day commitment to prepare to launch a new coach service linking the north and the south of Wales.
Transport for Wales has worked at pace to deliver this scheme which I am pleased to announce will launch on 25 October.
TaithCymru plays a vitally important role in connecting towns and communities, making it a quicker, easier and more reliable way to travel to access work, education, and leisure.
TaithCymru will also provide public transport access to tourism destinations including Eryri National Park, the Llŷn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay.
The Welsh Government says the service will support its sustainable tourism and decarbonisation objectives by providing an alternative to car travel. It is also expected to complement other public transport services as part of efforts to encourage greater use of sustainable transport across Wales.
Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales, said:TaithCymru represents a major step forward in improving connectivity between north and south Wales. This new service will provide faster, more convenient and more sustainable journeys, helping people access employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities while supporting our wider ambition of creating a truly integrated public transport network for Wales. TaithCymru is a great example of what can be achieved when we come together with a shared vision to improve transport for communities across the country. The commitment, collaboration and determination shown by teams across Transport for Wales to bring this service to life has been outstanding.
