A new daily coach service connecting north and south Wales will launch in October, cutting journey times by more than an hour and creating new links between some of the country's key regional centres.
The new TaithCymru service will begin operating between Bangor and Carmarthen on Sunday, October 25, as part of plans to create a more integrated public transport network across Wales.
Running seven days a week, the long-distance service will call at Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron.
The Welsh Government says the improved connection will make it easier for communities along the route to access employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities.
It could also provide a boost to the visitor economy by creating a new sustainable travel option for destinations including Eryri National Park, the Llŷn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Tuesday, October 6 through a new online booking system being developed and operated by Transport for Wales. Fares are still being finalised and will be announced when the system goes live.
TaithCymru is one of the Welsh Government's 100-day commitments and will operate alongside existing TrawsCymru, local bus and Fflecsi services.
The service forms part of a wider ambition to develop a more integrated, multimodal transport system and encourage more journeys to be made by public transport rather than car.
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.”
The route is expected to improve connections between communities along the western side of Wales, where travelling between north and south by public transport can involve lengthy journeys and multiple connections.
By reducing journey times by more than an hour, the Welsh Government hopes the service will make public transport a more practical option for residents as well as visitors.
The new route also has potential implications for businesses and the tourism economy.
Connecting destinations from Bangor and Caernarfon through to Aberystwyth, Cardigan Bay and Carmarthen could make it easier for visitors to travel between different parts of Wales without relying on a car.
The Welsh Government said this would support its sustainable tourism ambitions while contributing towards wider decarbonisation goals.
Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales, described TaithCymru as a major step forward for connectivity.
He 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.”
He added that bringing the service forward had involved collaboration between teams across Transport 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.”
TaithCymru will begin operating on Sunday, October 25, with advance tickets available from October 6.
