Contents
Published: October 2026
About this document
This report summarises the engagement Transport for Wales (TfW) undertook on the proposed north to south Wales express coach service. It sets out the findings and the next steps we will take.
The engagement was open to members of the public and stakeholders with an interest in the proposed route. The survey ran between 3 and 28 March 2025.
The engagement aims were to:
- gather views from the public and stakeholders on the proposed north to south Wales express coach service
- understand current travel behaviour along the route
- test public appetite for the proposed frequency, stops, and service features
- complement wider stakeholder engagement activity being carried out.
What we engaged on
This proposed coach service would provide a faster, more direct public transport link along the west coast of Wales. It would run from Bangor, Carmarthen, and the places in between.
The proposed service would:
- cut around 90 minutes from current public transport journey times
- stop at key locations including Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, Llandysul and Carmarthen
- connect with rail services for convenient onward travel
- aim for a two-hourly frequency throughout the day
- provide comfortable coaches with facilities appropriate for longer journeys
- transition to zero-emission electric coaches in the future.
We asked the public for their views on the overall proposal, the proposed stops and their locations, the planned frequency of the service and how they currently travel along the route.
How we engaged
We hosted a dedicated 'Have Your Say' page on the Transport for Wales website. Respondents could review information about the proposal and complete a survey. The survey was available in English and Welsh.
We ran three in-person engagement events at key locations along the proposed route. We ran virtual stakeholder sessions including with local authorities and elected representatives.
The engagement was promoted through:
- Transport for Wales social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram
- QR codes and direct links to the 'Have Your Say' platform
- distribution of campaign materials to stakeholders to extend reach
- on-site promotion at the in-person engagement events.
Overview
We received 986 total responses to the online survey. 972 responses were received via the English survey and 14 to the Welsh language survey.
Respondents were members of the public who either lived along the route or travelled along it.
Issues raised included:
- The proposed frequency not being sufficient to meet demand.
- The route not extending to major south Wales hubs such as Cardiff and Swansea.
- The risk that a new express service could reduce or replace existing local services.
- The need for integration with rail and local bus networks.
- Affordability of fares, including being able to use concessionary travel passes.
Key findings
Support for the proposal: 69.7% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with the north to south Wales express coach proposal.
Current travel behaviour: 78.4% of respondents already travel to locations along the proposed route. Travel was primarily for leisure, with work, healthcare and education also featuring prominently. 44.6% of respondents currently use a private vehicle for most of their journeys on this route. 22.3% use bus, 18.7% use a mix of car and public transport, 9.7% a mix of public transport modes and 4.6% use rail.
Proposed stops: 78.8% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the proposed bus stops and their locations.
Frequency: 69.2% of respondents said the proposed frequency was not frequent enough, with only 18.8% saying it was just right. 2.6% said it was too frequent, with the remainder choosing not to answer this question.
Anticipated usage: 84.0% of respondents said they would use TrawsCymru services more because of this new coach service (in addition to this coach service). 71.5% already use TrawsCymru. Of those who said they would use the new service, the largest group (41.1%) anticipated using it a few times a month, with 39.2% saying they would use it infrequently, suggesting moderate but meaningful demand.
Connectivity: 87.6% agreed or strongly agreed that the proposed service could provide increased connectivity between north and south Wales.
Additional comments received:
A total of 593 respondents (60.1%) provided additional comments. The broad themes raised by respondents included:
- A need for better integration of rail and bus services, including through-ticketing and guaranteed connections when services are delayed.
- That an extension of the route beyond Carmarthen to Swansea or Cardiff would provide easier access to South Wales without needing to change transport modes.
- Ensuring long journeys were comfortable - including the need to have toilets on board, Wi-Fi, charging points, comfortable seating, refreshments and adequate luggage space.
- Incorporating accessibility needs such as step-free boarding and adequate space for mobility equipment
- Ensuring the service is affordable and considering whether concessionary passes can be used.
- Prioritising sustainability including electric coaches.
- The need for cycle storage on board and facilities to support passengers wishing to combine cycling with public transport.
- That existing local bus services should not be reduced, and funding should not be diverted from local transport needs
- That building rail infrastructure should be considered in the longer term.
We’ve used relevant feedback when designing the coach service and it will inform any future developments.
Next steps
We are launching a pilot coach service in autumn 2026.
The service will operate between Bangor and Carmarthen. This will improve access to jobs, healthcare, education, businesses, and leisure. It is also expected to support improved access for visitors to Wales.
The service will stop at Bangor railway station, Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and Carmarthen.
The Welsh Government has purchased eight Volvo eVoTor coaches to provide a comfortable, accessible, and high-quality passenger experience.
The feedback received throughout the engagement has been instrumental in shaping the pilot. and we will continue to consider the findings from this engagement as we launch and further develop this new service.
This autumn, we will:
- Publish the timetable for the service as well as the details of fares
- Share information on the fleet being deployed for this service, including on-board facilities, accessibility, and vehicle specification
- Clarify integrated ticketing opportunities
- Launch the service and take customer feedback to ensure its meeting the needs of the communities it serves.
As part of future development, we will:
- Continue to gather feedback on the coach service
- Explore opportunities to integrate with rail services
- Review the case for potential route extensions in the future.
- Take the affordability issues raised into consideration when setting ticket prices.
