Free bus travel will return to Swansea over the festive season, with the scheme running every weekend from Saturday, November 21, and including the date of the Christmas Parade on November 22. The Swansea Council initiative will also operate daily from December 21 to New Year's Eve.
The offer applies only to journeys that start and finish within the Swansea Council area, which is bounded by Loughor (Ship and Castle), Pontarddulais (Railway Station), Garnswllt, Clydach (Coed Gwilym Cemetery), Lonlas (Bowen Arms) and Port Tennant (Bevans Row). This includes places such as Gorseinon, Pontarddulais, Gower and Morriston.
Dates and eligibility
The scheme will run on the following dates: November 21 and 22; November 28 and 29; December 5 and 6; December 12 and 13; December 19 and 20; and December 21 to 31, when buses are operating.
Bus services operated by First Cymru, Adventure Travel, South Wales Transport and DANSA are included in the offer. All journeys must start before 7pm.
Council comments on the scheme
Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart, said: "Swansea is the only council in Wales to offer this opportunity to take the bus and save money in the countdown to Christmas. It's the sixth year in a row that families have been able to take advantage of the offer. When we ran it last year, more than 131,000 journeys were completed, which just shows how important the service is."
Stewart added: "Offering free buses to get to and from the Christmas parade is a brilliant early festive present for local families on what will be a great curtain-raiser for the countdown. We know that people also travel from across south and west Wales for this event and it's an important boost to city centre shops, cafes and other businesses at a vital time of year for them."
Support for residents and businesses
Cabinet member for community support, Rebecca Fogarty, said: "This offer will be part of a comprehensive package of support for those most in need. We're working on initiatives that will include food support, activities, events and welcoming spaces to help residents this winter."
Fogarty added: "Christmas can be an expensive time for everyone and a single family trip on free bus weekends can save them up to £20 in travel costs. This offer is not just about encouraging people into the city centre - although we do want businesses to benefit from seeing more people coming into the city. This is also about giving the public the chance to travel all across Swansea, whether it's to visit family members or just enjoy what Swansea has to offer."
