12 Aug 2022
The fflecsi bus pilot scheme for Newport will be coming to an end on 25 September 2022 after a successful 12-month period of trialling demand responsive travel in an urban environment.
The Transport for Wales and Welsh Government pilot project, supported by Newport Council and Newport Transport, provided substantial data that will now be analysed and used to improve future public transport route planning in the area.
The pilot has also provided useful information on how customer travel habits have changed through the Covid pandemic, demonstrating that fewer people are commuting to work since the introduction of working from home and that leisure journeys have increased.
Newport Transport will announce their new bus timetable week commencing 22 August and the new services will be introduced from 4 September 2022, giving passengers a three-week transition period before the fflecsi service comes to an end.
Andrew Sherrington, TfW Head of Bus Network and Service Development said: “At TfW we are continuously looking at ways to improve public transport and provide a network that meets customers’ needs. The fflecsi pilot in Newport allowed us to implement and develop demand responsive transport in an urban setting and has provided us with a wealth of useful information on the journeys being taken around the city.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the pilot and encourage them to look out for the new bus timetable that will be announced later this month.”
Scott Pearson, Managing Director of Newport Transport added: “Newport Transport was pleased to be selected to operate the pilot urban fflecsi service for TfW, the outcome of which has meant that we have been able to develop our network using the data gathered during this pilot period.
“Newport Transport will be making a number of service enhancements from Sunday 4 September designed to mitigate the fflecsi pilot coming to an end, further detailed information will follow. Our operations team will continue to monitor and gather customer feedback to ensure our service is accessible for our customers in the city of Newport and our wider network.”
Further information for customers about the new bus services will be available in the coming weeks at Newport Bus - Greener | Smarter | Safer.
