More than 100,000 passengers have travelled on the improved Carmarthen – Aberystwyth TrawsCymru service since it was relaunched with all-electric buses earlier this year.

Passenger numbers have grown from 16,000 in March to 19,000 in April, 23,000 in May and 26,000 in June and again in July; an overall increase of 36,000 passengers compared to the same period in 2022.

Huw Morgan, Head of Integrated Transport for Transport for Wales, said: “The relaunched service has focused on providing customers with the best-possible passenger experience while keeping fares affordable.

“We’ve been really pleased with the success of the service in the first six months since the new buses were introduced and our focus now is to continue to improve our offering following feedback from users.”

The TrawsCymru T1 service, operated by First Cymru, is the first bus contract to be managed by TfW.

Its state-of-the-art buses operate out of a new purpose-built depot in Carmarthen and make some of the longest all-electric journeys of any buses in the UK, covering 104 miles for a round trip.

The buses offer a number of great new features including reading lights, tables, cordless charging and USB sockets, arms rests, information screens and an air purification system. 

The buses have onboard bi-lingual audio-visual information and next stop announcements, while passengers travelling to train stations benefit from live departure information, supporting integrated and multi-modal transport.

Cllr Edward Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services said: “Carmarthenshire County Council has been pleased to be involved in launching this key strategic bus service between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth and has worked to enhance the success of the service with interconnecting and demand responsive Flecsi - Bwcabws services and real-time passenger information.”