South West Wales Bus Network
Your bus service, Your Voice – have your say on our Proposed Base Network
Local Authorities in South West Wales and Transport for Wales are working together to propose some improvements to the bus network, in preparation for wider bus reform.
We want to hear from you to help refine our proposed local bus network ahead of it being introduced from 2027.
Share your views on our proposed local bus network for the South West Wales region
To attract more people to use buses, we want to build a simpler bus network which is linked in with the rest of public transport in Wales and easy to navigate (One Network), with coordinated timetables which are easy to use and allow connection across public transport in Wales (One Timetable) and simpler ticketing which enables travel across public transport in Wales with affordable and consistent fares (One Ticket).
To achieve this aim, the law about how bus services are managed is changing. The Bus Reform Bill is going through the Senedd and we’re aiming to introduce franchising starting in the South West Wales region, from Summer 2027. You can find out more about what bus franchising is here.
The first step to prepare for bus reform in the region has involved Transport for Wales and local authorities jointly develop a proposal for the bus network in South West Wales. We’re calling this our Proposed Base Network. This is the network we believe we can deliver within the limits of our current resources and it’s this we want feedback on.
We know that our Proposed Base Network will not be perfect for everyone. That is why we are interested in views about our Proposed Base Network, about the choices we navigate and whether we have made the right trade-offs for the South West Wales region. Feedback will help us refine our proposals and collecting public input now will help ensure that we have a sound service operating in South West Wales in 2027.
So, hop on board, and have your say on our proposed bus network. You have until 23 September 2025.
Background
Bus Reform
Bus reform will mean that decisions about bus services in Wales (including routes, timetables, fares, hours of operation and service quality standard), will be made by Welsh Government and Transport for Wales. We’ll be working in partnership with local authorities and Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs). Bus operators can bid for contracts of various sizes to run services to agreed specifications.
Under bus reform, local authorities, Corporate Joint Committees, bus operators, Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government will all work together to design better bus networks and services delivered mainly through franchising. Within the funding available, we will prioritise services that best meet people’s and communities’ needs. Franchising brings together the strengths of private, municipal and community operators in efficient service delivery within a coordinated and planned public transport network. This change will benefit the people of Wales while accommodating local and regional needs and differences.
Timeframes
The Bus Reform Bill is going through the Senedd and we’re aiming to introduce franchising from summer 2027. Work is underway to prepare for this transition. A regional approach is being taken to deliver bus reform and the key dates and regions (as they stand currently) are:
- South West Wales – 2027
- North Wales - 2028
- South East Wales - 2029
- Mid Wales – 2030
More about our Proposed Base Network
We are working with local partners on a regional basis to review bus networks and prioritise the most important services for communities. This work is helping to align national funding with local knowledge and priorities. These regional teams will feed into a national panel in which we bring together four regional representatives from local government, and representatives of, operators, passengers and trade unions to develop our approach to the implementation of bus reform. This collaborative approach is central to bringing key stakeholders together.
Transport for Wales and the four local authorities in South West Wales have been jointly developing a proposal for the bus network in this region. We're calling this our Proposed Base Network.
We have used the current network as the starting point to develop our Proposed Base Network. Where we have access to data about travel demand, reliability of bus services and operating conditions, we’ve drawn on this to support the planning of the Network.
It’s this proposed network we are collecting feedback on via this engagement by you for input on;
- Bus routes and frequency; where buses stop and routes they take
- How we best navigate trade offs in designing the network; for example is providing faster journeys more important than how often the bus stops?
- How might we manage the change, so that it is delivered as smoothly as possible from 2027 onwards
- Other factors that shape people’s experiences using bus services in South Wales Wales.
Please complete the survey online, but if that's not possible contact our Customer Relations team or 02920 031 272 and we will do our best to help you.
