A new coach service linking North and South West Wales begins running this Sunday, 25 October, according to Transport for Wales. Tickets for TaithCymru, which connects Bangor and Carmarthen, can now be booked online.

Key points

  • Route — the coaches call at Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron.
  • Timetable — 10 regular services a day from Monday to Saturday, with a similar Sunday schedule and one late-night journey to Holyhead station and port.
  • Fares — Bangor to Carmarthen costs £10.00 for one adult; Aberystwyth to Carmarthen costs £4.50.
  • On board — Wi-Fi, reclining seats, air conditioning, a toilet, wheelchair reservations and limited bike spaces.

The service will run from early morning until late evening, cutting journey times by more than an hour and connecting towns, railway stations and onward public transport along the way. One journey each day extends from Bangor to Holyhead railway station and Holyhead Port, improving links with rail and ferry services.

Tickets can be booked online up to 15 minutes before travel, and a live bus tracker is available through the Traws Cymru app. The Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, said TaithCymru was "a significant step forward in connecting communities" and part of a wider ambition to build a more integrated public transport network across Wales.

Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales, said the service had been designed around passengers' needs and would make it easier for people to leave the car at home. The coaches have one wheelchair space, but the onboard toilet is not accessible, and Aberaeron is currently not an accessible stop. Accessible alternatives are available via TrawsCymru services T1, T5 and T2.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

For anyone travelling between the north and south west of Wales, this adds a cheaper, bookable option and removes some of the need to drive. It is worth checking the accessibility details before you rely on it for a full journey.

  • Book ahead — tickets are sold online up to 15 minutes before departure, so a smartphone or a friend with one will help.
  • Check your stop — Aberaeron is not accessible at present, and the onboard toilet is not accessible either; the T1, T5 and T2 routes are the alternatives.
  • Bikes and wheelchairs — spaces are limited and must be reserved online, so sort these out when you buy your ticket.