Swansea business leaders support council’s free bus offer

Businesses leaders in Swansea are calling on the public to make the most of the city’s local attractions when a new free bus travel offer starts.

Swansea Council has announced plans to offer free travel on buses for everyone throughout August in a bid to get the city back on its feet. The travel initiative is part of the Council’s wider recovery plans which will see £20million invested back into services.

From July 30, all bus journeys which start and end in Swansea will be free to everyone using buses. The offer will be available from Friday – Monday all through August.

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “The public response to our announcement has been fantastic so far. Everyone understands what this means in terms of giving our residents support over the summer. It also means we can support local businesses and our leisure and tourism industry by providing free transport to many of these destinations.

“The past 16 months have been really difficult for everyone but now as we emerge from the Covid restrictions we want to do everything we can to support residents and businesses to recover and succeed post pandemic.”

Organisations involved in tourism, leisure and business have since praised the free travel plans, urging the public to get behind it.

Nic Beggs, Swansea Area Manager for Freedom Leisure, said: “Opening up free bus travel across Swansea is certainly going to help the local population get around the region. 

“Freedom Leisure would certainly hope this makes it easier to visit a local leisure centre or access the city centre to visit the LC Swansea’s waterpark.  I could certainly see this improving our carbon footprint which is certainly a focus for Freedom Leisure as an organisation’

Stephen Crocker, Chair of Tourism Swansea Bay, said: “Great to see such an opportunity for Swansea people to explore Gower and the surrounding area during the summer period.

“There is no excuse why everyone can’t visit destinations such as the beaches, the Gower Heritage Centre, Mumbles Pier and Clyne Park and enjoy the summer weather.

“Also people can come into town if they wish and visit attractions like the Plantasia which is a great venue for families.”

Adam Keen, Managing Director of New Adventure Travel, one of the bus companies helping to provide the free service said: “We are extremely pleased that Swansea Council has created this promotion, which will encourage bus use and help to get the public transport sector back on track after a very difficult 18 months.

“This kind of proactive, positive promotion of bus services is exactly what is needed and I hope to see much more of it across Wales.”