Wales Express Coach Service Closer: Faster Than Trains, Fewer Stops

Wales might soon have a new north-south coach service. This express service will have just nine stops and eight coaches a day will run between Bangor and Carmarthen.

The study suggests stops like Caernarfon and Aberystwyth, but rejected Penygroes and other locations. This service could carry over 100,000 passengers yearly, operating seven days a week, and save 90 minutes versus current travel. Wales’ 20 mph speed limit could add 12 minutes, though car travel is still faster, by 75 minutes. The coach trip should take four hours, 45 minutes.

Transport for Wales commissioned the feasibility study and Arup conducted it. The coach fares could be about a third of train fares, and the coach service is cheaper than restoring old railways. They may start with used diesel coaches, then hope to use electric ones.

Coaches need toilets, reclining seats, more leg room and tables. They will also need power sockets and WiFi. The coaches should run quietly. They limited stops to not compete with existing buses.

The study thinks tourism and students can boost numbers, since currently, only 4% of visitors use buses. They see long-distance coaches as a big chance and believe they could also provide cheaper student travel. The service linking to rails helps students by connecting Bangor, Aberystwyth, and other universities. Students live farther from Bangor campus, therefore they need public transport.

Wales had long-distance coaches before, and tried services after the 1960s rail cuts. A Cardiff to Bangor coach ran in 1979, and later routes linked Cardiff with other places too.

Privatization caused service cutbacks during the 1990s. By 2000, only one route remained operating under Arriva. This route connected Holyhead and Bristol, later Llandudno.

The network became “TrawsCymru” in 2013, connecting towns but favoring local buses. Frequent stops mean car travel is faster. There also aren’t useful facilities for long trips. An express coach like trains helps build demand.

Improved connectivity between North and South Wales is a key goal. Funding is needed for coaches and drivers, and upgrades cost between £150,000 and £1.5m at stops.

Bangor railway forecourt is the best stop because the location integrates with rail services. There’s a 4.1m headroom restriction there, which would stop some double-decker coaches. Caernarfon’s bus station offers good town access, and they considered bypass stops to reduce delays too.

An improved Porthmadog stop links to rail and will minimize town center delays also. Dolgellau’s Eldon Square was chosen for its town center access. Bala Road stops would reduce delays.

Machynlleth’s rail interchange is the long-term plan. They may use on-street stops near the station, however interchange is less critical there. Passengers can change in Aberystwyth or Porthamadog.

Aberystwyth’s bus station works since it is near the rail station, also offering good town center access. They may add a second stop by the university.

They examined different coach service frequencies and thought about two to ten coaches daily. Six to eight coaches are preferred, which equals a service every two hours. Integrated ticketing will matter to the journey and an average fare of £7.28 is expected.

They ruled out gas and hydrogen coaches. Electric coaches are the favorite, though they will need one-hour recharges. Diesel ones should be used in the beginning, as used ones are cheaper to buy. Operating costs would be £3.1m for electric coaches, and £3.3m with diesel coaches.

Next, they will do a business plan and need Welsh Government funding approval also. They require tenders and infrastructure design, and must upgrade the electricity grid. A public consultation will be done.

These steps should be quick. Also, they need digital marketing soon. They need social media and a way to watch the service.