About the Welsh Bus Network Plan
The Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and local authorities in Wales are working together to prepare for bus reform. In February, the Bus Services (Wales) Act 2026 received Royal Assent. As part of the provisions of this new legislation, Transport for Wales is publishing the Welsh Bus Network Plan for the first time on behalf of the Welsh Ministers.
The Welsh Bus Network Plan (the Plan) is intended to be a strategic document which is technical in nature, containing details of the local bus network in Wales. The Plan reflects a snapshot of the network and is not updated on a live basis.
It should not be used to plan journeys, as the Plan will not include service details. Customers can find information about their local bus services and timetables at Traveline.Cymru.
This is the first publication of the Plan. We consulted on a draft of the Plan in Summer 2025. Following this consultation, the Plan was updated and it now reflects the local bus network as it operated on 1 April 2026, with the addition of service proposals in South West Wales. It sets out routes and key stopping points of local bus services. In the case of flexible local bus services, the Plan sets out the geographical area and any fixed sections the services are required to operate.
Welsh Bus Network Plan (Downloadable table / spreadsheet)
Welsh Bus Network Plan Statutory Consultation findings report
South West Wales Base Network
We are planning to commence the rollout of bus reform in South West Wales. Transport for Wales and local authorities in the region have jointly developed a proposal for the bus network, called the Base Network. We engaged with the public and regional stakeholders to seek feedback on our Base Network during Summer 2025. The routes and principal stopping points within the South West Wales Base Network are outlined within the Plan.
The Plan has been developed according to the requirements of the 2026 Act and sets out the services identified for the purpose of securing safe, integrated, sustainable, efficient and economical transport in Wales. We have used the current network in South West Wales as the starting point to develop the Base Network, which is designed to be deliverable within the current funding resource. We have applied our network planning principles to develop a simpler network, remove duplication where possible and coordinate services. Where we have access to data about travel demand, reliability of bus services and operating conditions, we have drawn on this to support the planning of the network.
Where we have made some changes in South West Wales, they are based on:
- Having a simpler network, that is easy to explain, remember and navigate.
- High-frequency core routes that can attract the highest patronage.
- Interchanges between bus services to enable faster journeys to more destinations.
- More direct services.
Next steps
This Plan will be laid before the Senedd in July and then again annually to reflect on-going revisions each year.
TfW is committed to continually reviewing and updating the Plan throughout the bus franchising journey. This will be done in consultation with industry, the public sector (including but not limited to Local Authorities and National Park Authorities) and passenger representatives to ensure the services reflect the needs of our communities.
For further information about the wider network planning considerations and our commitment to engage with communities as we prepare network proposals for bus franchising, please see:
