20 Jun 2024

The success of bus services in North Wales is being celebrated during Better Transport Week (June 17 to 23).

Officials from the Campaign for Better Transport have been in North Wales today (Thursday 20 June) to experience the Sherpa’r Wyddfa, TrawsCymru and fflecsi bus services, which are offering a more sustainable option for visitors wanting to explore Eryri National Park.

The new Sherpa’r Wyddfa service launched in July 2022 and has delivered huge improvements by offering a regular service for over 12 hours of the day in peak times connecting directly to main rail stations, delivering a consistent cost approach for customers and a fresh re-brand that identifies with its surroundings and celebrates the Welsh language.

The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates said: “It is great to see the introduction of these new improved bus services in North Wales. Alongside the more affordable 1bws ticket, they are providing a realistic, attractive and convenient alternative to using a car, allowing visitors to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Eryri National Park, whilst helping to alleviate traffic congestion.”

Gethin George, Programme Manager for Integrated Transport at TfW, said: “With thousands of visitors to Eryri National Park every year, public transport is driving huge improvements in sustainable tourism.

“TfW has worked closely with the national park and local authorities to deliver solutions to help alleviate the parking issues across the area, developing new networks, improving fares and ticket options and introducing new and improved services through TrawsCymru, fflecsi, rail and active travel to support the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service, linking Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Bangor and Betws-y-Coed and substantially reducing the number of private vehicles in the area.”

Sherpa’r Wyddfa is operated by Gwynfor Coaches, supporting the area socially, economically and environmentally by linking the main walking paths, car parks, villages, and attractions in the area, providing a service for visitors and residents alike.

Michael Solomon Williams from Campaign for Better Transport said: “There’s some great working going on across Wales to make transport more affordable, more accessible and more sustainable. That’s why we’re delighted to be here in North Wales to celebrate this fantastic and important bus service as part of Better Transport Week, Campaign for Better Transport’s week-long celebration of sustainable transport and all its benefits.”

Transport for Wales has also launched the new T10, T22 and fflecsi services in the area.

The TrawsCymru T10 launched in July 2021 and runs from Bangor to Corwen via Betws y Coed, providing onward connections at Corwen to the T3 towards Llangollen and Wrexham and the T8 towards Ruthin, Mold and Chester.

Brand-new state-of-the-art electric buses that support sustainable travel in Gwynedd were launched in February this year. The new TrawsCymru T22 provides an hourly service between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog, and every two hours between Porthmadog and Caernarfon.

New fflecsi services in Dolgellau and Machynlleth have also begun operation, joining the popular seasonal Llŷn Peninsula service, which relaunched in March, and the longer-running fflecsi Dyffryn Conwy service, which is a regular sight coming into Betws y Coed. These services improve onward travel connections and provide more opportunities for people to travel by public transport in the area.

In addition, all the operators and local authorities across North Wales have worked together to present the 1bws ticket which enables travel across the entire area for just £6.50 per day on multi-operators and recently introduced tap on/tap off technology encourages new passengers to get on board knowing their journeys will be capped at £6.50 per day.