First Cymru

Last updated

First Cymru
FirstBus 2024.svg
First YX14 RUC (crop).jpg
Parent FirstGroup
Headquarters Swansea
Service area South West Wales
Service typeBus & coach services
Routes104 (October 2024)
Depots6
Fleet220 (October 2024)
Chief executiveDoug Claringbold
Website firstbus.co.uk/cymru

First Cymru [1] is an operator of bus services in South West Wales. It is a subsidiary of FirstGroup. With its headquarters previously in Swansea, it is now part of the First Wales and West region which also covers Bristol, Bath and Worcester, with its headquarters in Bristol. With 220 vehicles, it is the second largest bus operator in Wales after Stagecoach South Wales.

Contents

History

Plaxton bodied Volvo B7R in Cardiff in March 2006 Volvo B7R First Cymru.jpg
Plaxton bodied Volvo B7R in Cardiff in March 2006
Wright StreetCar operating an Ftrmetro Swansea journey in February 2014 First S100 FTR.jpg
Wright StreetCar operating an Ftrmetro Swansea journey in February 2014

In 1987, South Wales Transport was sold during the privatisation of the National Bus Company in a management buy out. [2]

In February 1990, along with Brewers Motor Services and United Welsh Coaches, South Wales Transport was sold to Badgerline. [3] All initially retained their trading names but following Badgerline merging with GRT Group in April 1995 to form FirstBus, all Welsh operations were rebranded as First Cymru.

Operations

The company operates 104 bus services in the South West Wales area, in and between Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Tenby, Carmarthen, Ammanford, Llanelli, Swansea, Pontardawe, Neath, Port Talbot, Maesteg, Bridgend and Cardiff. Following contract wins in April 2024, their network was expanded in Pembrokeshire and the Vale of Glamorgan, incorporating locations such as Narberth, Whitland, Barry and Cardiff Airport.

In addition to internal South Wales work, First Cymru also operate the TrawsCymru T1 service between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth under contract to the Welsh Government using Yutong E12 electric vehicles leased from them.

First Cymru branding was previously used across the network. However, local 'Swansea and the Bay', 'Western Welsh', 'Neath Port Talbot' and 'Bridgend and County' branding began to be applied to services in its sub-areas. All future repaints will now however be in the national blue and silver First Bus livery.

Swansea University services

First Cymru has provided dedicated services for students of Swansea University for a number of years. The original service, known as 'Bright Orange Bus', linked Hendrefoilan Student Village to Singleton Campus and the City Centre. The service was expanded to the Bay Campus when it opened in 2015 and renamed 'Campus to Campus'. A new route was also introduced between the two campuses via Sketty, Uplands and Swansea railway station. The network was redesigned and rebranded 'Unibws' following the closure of Hendrefoilan Student Village in the summer of 2023. Newly numbered services 89-92 link the two campuses with the city centre, Sketty, Uplands and new student accommodation in the Parc Tawe, railway station and Morfa Road areas. Night buses N91 and N92 operate until around 4am in the term time.

Park and Ride

First Cymru operates park & ride sites, which are located at Fabian Way and Landore in Swansea.

Swansea Metro

Optare Versa 49004 in Porthcawl in May 2017 First Cymru 49004 on route 63B in Porthcawl (17129385653).jpg
Optare Versa 49004 in Porthcawl in May 2017

First Cymru operate a bus rapid transport route (Service 4) between Singleton Hospital, Swansea University, Swansea City Centre and Morriston Hospital, which was known as the FTRmetro. Ten Wright StreetCar articulated buses were purchased especially for the services, and the road layout around Swansea City Centre was substantially changed to accommodate and prioritise these vehicles. Customer hosts where employed to sell tickets in lieu of the drivers who were in enclosed cabs. On 28 August 2015 the Wright StreetCars were replaced by Wright StreetLite buses and in red metro branding. [4] [5] The customer hosts were scrapped and drivers returned to processing tickets. Much of the dedicated bus lanes for this scheme have now been removed from Swansea City Centre and the service is now predominantly operated by unbranded double deckers.

TrawsCymru

First Cymru have held the contract for the T1 service between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth since 2014, when Arriva Buses Wales pulled out of Mid Wales. In 2023, First began operating Welsh Government owned Yutong E12 electric vehicles on this service from a bespoke depot in Carmarthen.

Tenby Coaster

In 2022, First Cymru launched the open-top Tenby Coaster from Tenby to Saundersfoot, which operates from May to September. [6] It is currently operated by converted former First Bradford and First Eastern Counties Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis. There is also a morning extension from Haverfordwest via Oakwood Theme Park and Carew and an evening return, due to the location of the depot in Haverfordwest.

Previous services

Cymru Coaster

In May 2021, First Cymru launched two new open top bus routes in Swansea and Porthcawl: [7]

[9]
A further two open-top coaster services were launched in June 2022:

[10]

Tenby Coaster is the only remaining open top service.

Cymru Clipper

In 2014, First Cymru introduced the Cymru Clipper network of longer distance express routes, spanning from Carmarthen & Ammanford to Cardiff.

Services X1, X2, [11] X3, X5, X6, X7, X11 and X13 were encompassed into this network. Dedicated vehicles in blue livery operated these services, with the majority of them offering WiFi and leather seats as standard.

As these services became council tenders in 2024, the Cymru Clipper brand was dropped. Services such as the X11 between Carmarthen and Swansea now observe longer routes and can no longer be considered express routes. Blue Clipper vehicles are still found on the network but are allocated sporadically.

Coach services

First Cymru used to have its own coaching division and operated school services, National Express contracts and interurban services. Special services were also operated to Abergavenny market and Oakwood Theme Park and Tenby in the summer.

Swansea to Cardiff shuttle service

First Cymru operated an hourly shuttle service between Cardiff, Bridgend Designer Outlet and Swansea, which was known as the 'Shuttle100'. From 2010 to 15, this service was part of the Greyhound UK network. [12] [13] Following the demise of Greyhound this service was renumbered X10. [14] The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not since been reinstated, marking the end of First Cymru's coaching operations.

Greyhound UK

In 2010, the Swansea-Cardiff shuttle service became part of the Greyhound UK network and was operated by coaches with leather seats and additional legroom, which could be booked online for the first time. In 2013, the service was extended to Newport, Bristol and Bristol Airport. In March 2015, the Cardiff to Bristol Airport leg of the route was withdrawn and in December 2015 the Greyhound UK brand was dropped. This was the last Greyhound service to operate in the UK. National Express launched its 216 service between Cardiff and Bristol Airport immediately after the withdrawal of the Greyhound service.

National Express

Until July 2012, when the contract was lost to Edwards Coaches, First Cymru were a National Express contractor and operated services on routes: [15]

Fleet

As of October 2024, the First Cymru fleet consisted of 220 buses based from depots in Bridgend, Haverfordwest, Port Talbot, Tycroes, Carmarthen and Swansea. [16] Depots were previously located in Llanelli, Pontardawe, Maesteg and Cardiff.

The main fleet consists of Wright StreetLite, ADL Enviro200, Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini ("1" and 2), Optare Versa and Optare Solo SR vehicles (there is also a small batch of Yutong E12s for TrawsCymru T1 work, and a pair of Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini open-top buses for the Tenby Coaster). In 2024, over 50 Wright StreetLites arrived from First West of England and First Worcester in exchange for much of the company's ADL Enviro200 fleet in response to emissions requirements, making StreetLites the bulk of the fleet. In addition, the company has five former First Aberdeen and First West of England Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban training vehicles in yellow branding targeting potential new recruits.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiff Bus</span> Municipal bus operator in Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff Bus is the main operator of bus services in Cardiff, Wales and the surrounding area, including Barry and Penarth. The company is wholly owned by Cardiff Council and is one of the few municipal bus companies to remain in council ownership. Unlike municipal bus companies elsewhere in Britain, Cardiff Bus is unique in that it is directly managed by Councillors who sit on its Board, rather than as an Arms Length Organisation as other municipal bus companies in Great Britain are run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Wales Main Line</span> Railway from Bristol to Swansea

The South Wales Main Line, originally known as the London, Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway or simply as the Bristol and South Wales Direct Railway, is a branch of the Great Western Main Line in Great Britain. It diverges from the core London-Bristol line at Royal Wootton Bassett beyond Swindon, first calling at Bristol Parkway, after which the line continues through the Severn Tunnel into South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Wales lines</span> Railway lines west of Swansea, Wales

The West Wales lines are a group of railway lines from Swansea through Carmarthenshire to Pembrokeshire, West Wales. The main part runs from Swansea to Carmarthen and Whitland, where it becomes three branches to Fishguard, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Wales</span> Overview of the transportation system in Wales

Transport in Wales is heavily influenced by the country's geography. Wales is predominantly hilly or mountainous, and the main settlements lie on the coasts of north and south Wales, while mid Wales and west Wales are lightly populated. The main transport corridors are east–west routes, many continuing eastwards into England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milford Haven railway station</span> Railway station in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Milford Haven railway station serves the town of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Opened on 7 September 1863, it was originally known as Milford, becoming Old Milford by January 1902, and finally being renamed Milford Haven by April 1910. It is the westernmost railway station in Wales, but not in Great Britain as some stations in England and Scotland are further west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TrawsCambria</span> Former express bus network in Wales

TrawsCambria was a network of medium and long-distance express bus routes in Wales sponsored by the Welsh Government.

Swansea City bus station is a bus station serving Swansea, Wales. It lies immediately to the west of the Quadrant Shopping Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Articulated buses in the United Kingdom</span> Type of single-deck bus used in the United Kingdom

Articulated buses, colloquially known as "bendy buses", were rarely used in the United Kingdom compared to other countries, until the turn of the millennium. This was due to a preference for the double-decker bus for use on high capacity routes. In June 2006, there were over 500 articulated buses in the United Kingdom, although they were still heavily outnumbered by double deckers. The majority of this fleet was used in London, although these buses would be withdrawn by end of 2011.

In Wales, the office of Mayor or Lord Mayor had long been ceremonial posts, with little or no duties attached to it. Traditionally mayors have been elected by town, borough and city councils. Since 2000, councils can decide to have directly elected mayors with extensive powers if such a proposal is approved in a local referendum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edwards Coaches</span>

Edwards Coaches is a family-owned coach company based in Llantrisant, near Pontypridd in South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arriva Buses Wales</span> Bus operator in North Wales and Chester

Arriva Buses Wales is a bus operator providing services in northern Wales and Chester in northern England. It is a subsidiary of Arriva UK Bus.

Bus transport in Cardiff, the capital and most populous city in Wales, forms the major part of the city's public transport network, which also includes an urban rail network, Waterbus and international airport. Cardiff is a major city of the United Kingdom and a centre of employment, retail, business, government, culture, media, sport and higher education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greyhound UK</span>

Greyhound UK was a low-cost intercity scheduled coach service in the United Kingdom owned by FirstGroup. It was launched in September 2009 following their purchase of the long-established Greyhound service in the United States and developed in the following two years in South East England and South Wales. The last service ceased in December 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golf in Wales</span>

Golf is a popular sport in Wales. Although the sport of golf in Great Britain is most associated with Scotland, where it was established and developed, Wales can record its first courses back to the 1880s, and today has over 200 clubs. The first amateur golf competition was held in 1895, and the first professional championship was in 1904. Wales has produced several players of note, including one player, Ian Woosnam, who has won one of the Men's major golf championships and Wales has twice won the men's World Cup, in 1987 and 2005, respectively. Wales also hosted the Ryder Cup, when it was held at Newport's Celtic Manor Resort in 2010.

TrawsCymru is the brand name for a network of regional bus services in Wales, sponsored by the Welsh Government. It was introduced as a replacement for the TrawsCambria network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adventure Travel (bus company)</span> British bus operating company

Adventure Travel is a bus and coach company in South Wales. It is a subsidiary of ComfortDelGro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kernow (bus company)</span> Bus company operating services in Cornwall, England

Kernow is a bus company operating services in Cornwall, England. It is part of First South West, a subsidiary of FirstGroup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bus transport in Wales</span> Overview of buses in Wales

Bus transport in Wales is a significant form of public transport in Wales. In 2021–22 52.3 million journeys were travelled in Wales on local buses.

References

  1. Companies House extract company no 133884 First Cymru Buses Limited formerly The South Wales Transport Company Limited
  2. NBC sale at halfway stage Commercial Motor 16 May 1987 page 21
  3. Names remain the same Commercial Motor 1 March 1990 page 20
  4. First Cymru announces Swansea's bendy bus services to be scrapped South Wales Evening Post 24 June 2015
  5. "Three depots and Swansea ftr axed in First cutbacks" Buses issue 725 August 2015 page 6
  6. "All aboard! First Cymru launches open-top bus rides this Summer | First Bus".
  7. "Cymru Coasters | South & West Wales | First Bus". Archived from the original on 26 May 2021.
  8. Gregory, Rhys (3 June 2021). "Open-top bus rides come to Porthcawl" . Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  9. Jackson, Peter (25 May 2021). "First Cymru returns to open-top bus operation". CBW. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  10. "All aboard! First Cymru launches open-top bus rides this Summer | First Bus".
  11. "X2 Cymru Clipper to go via Cardiff Bay from May 12". The Bridgend and Porthcawl GEM. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  12. Greyhound has changed [ permanent dead link ] First South & West Wales 17 November 2015
  13. Swansea to Cardiff Greyhound services to be scrapped from this week Wales Online 2 December 2015
  14. Greyhound brand in the UK comes to an end [ permanent dead link ]Route One 16 December 2015
  15. Edwards Expands Coach & Bus Week 2 May 2012
  16. "Fleet list - First Cymru". Bus Times.org.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to First Cymru at Wikimedia Commons