North to South Wales Express Coach Proposal

Transport for Wales is working to improve connectivity between North and South Wales through considering a new express coach service between Bangor and Carmarthen. This proposed service would enhance sustainable transport options along Wales' western coast, benefiting communities, tourists, and university students throughout the region.

Subject to funding, this new service would provide faster journey times and better connections between major towns and railway stations, with plans to transition to zero-emission electric coaches in the future.

The service would ensure communities along the western corridor are better connected, providing improved access to education, tourism destinations, and employment opportunities.

We're running this consultation so we can find out how you feel about this proposal. Your feedback will help shape how this proposed transport link might be developed.

The proposed service would:

• Cut around 90 minutes from current public transport journey times
• Stop at key locations including Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, and Aberaeron
• Connect with train services for convenient onward travel
• Eventually run every two hours throughout the day
• Provide comfortable coaches with facilities suitable for longer journeys

You have until Friday, 28 March to give us your views. You can view the proposals and consultation materials on this page and respond to the survey by clicking on this link.

Introduction to the Service

Transport for Wales (TfW) is a not-for-profit company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Welsh Government. We’re responsible for the promotion of sustainable transport options that benefit communities across Wales and keep Wales moving. We want more people to choose public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling rather than using the car. This modal shift in journey planning is supported by Llwybr Newydd: The Wales Transport Strategy 2021 which has sustainability at its heart and is imperative to respond to the climate emergency. TfW is committed to working closely with partner organisations, stakeholders, communities, customers and members of the public to ensure that we create a public transport system that is wholly shaped by the needs of the people we serve.

In support of the ambitions described above, TfW has undertaken a North – South Wales Connectivity study along the west coast of Wales as there is currently no direct rail connection along this corridor, and long-distance public transport options are poor. As a result of these studies, an express coach service was suggested along the corridor between Bangor and Carmarthen, cutting around 90 minutes from current end-to-end coach/rail journey time.

The use of an express coach is suggested as previous TfW studies have concluded that end-to-end rail infrastructure is not feasible in the short term.

We’re encouraging all those interested in this North – South Coach Connectivity study to share their thoughts with us. We would like to hear your opinions on this proposed express coach service through answering questions below.

Together our aim is to create a transport network that people want to use and to ensure that it is easier for people to make more sustainable transport choices, now and in the future.

Service Details

This section contains additional information on the proposed design of this express coach service split across three sub-themes. The overall philosophy of the service is as follows:

• To act as a catalyst for low-carbon tourism and modal shift
• To improve connectivity between universities and key points of interest
• To achieve a 90 minute faster end-to-end journey time against current public transport
• To compete with the journey time of the car
• To be low cost and simpler to implement when compared to alternative rail options
• To support the case for transformational rail and regional investment over the long term

Route Design

The following figure contains a high-level overview of the proposed route of the service. Note that this is a limited stop service which allows it to achieve competitive journey times with the car. Although we are engaging on your opinion of this route alignment, it must be understood that additional stops will have a negative impact on the express style of the service. The express nature of this service provides a unique service that enhances the existing TrawsCymru bus services.

The figure also highlights the effort to integrate this service with rail and where potential interchange improvements could be deployed or existing/planned improvements could be utilised. Note that our initial plan is to trial this express coach service at a reduced frequency using diesel vehicles to ensure its viability before transitioning the service to zero emission.

Service Design

The ultimate ambition is to run a two hourly frequency for this service which matches other local services and maximises tie-in / interchange with the rail network whilst balancing cost. This frequency also requires a more reasonable up front capital cost for vehicles even in the event of rolling out a zero-emission fleet.

Vehicle and Amenity Design

The use of a coach for this service provides a number of amenities not possible through use of a bus. Namely, the simultaneous inclusion of toilet facilities, large luggage storage, tables, reclining seats, larger amounts of leg room etc. whilst maintaining accessibility requirements through wheelchair lifts, spaces and adequate audio/visual equipment etc.

Similarly, a focus on stop amenities along the route is a key concern. The figure below contains examples of a number of amenities, and we welcome your view on the priority of each at a stop. Examples include security features such as CCTV, lighting, seating, bike storage, green space, real time information provision and upgraded crossing facilities.

Finally, the digitisation of this service and its ease of use are of paramount importance. Our ambition is to tie in the booking and purchase of tickets for this service into our mobile applications. Further consideration is still required regarding fare structure and our ability to offer targeted / strategic fare offerings, for example, linkage with the Explore Wales Pass which is available for rail services