Free buses prove popular on first weekend say Council

Swansea’s pioneering #FreeRideSwansea free bus service has been popular on its first weekend the council have reported.

Passengers have been taking the bus completely free of charge as part of an initiative aiming to promote bus services and boost tourism and retailers as the city emerges from the pandemic.

Bus services that start and finish in the city will be free to all users from Fridays to Mondays throughout August.

Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement and Infrastructure Management, said: “The free bus service offer is the first of its kind we know of in Wales and is one part of what the council is doing to support public transport and businesses as we emerge from the pandemic.

“The council was side by side with our communities during the lockdowns and we are still with them as we move on.

“We’re encouraged by the feedback so far and we’ll continue to assess the feedback in the coming weeks and at after the promotion ends on August 30.”

He said: “Our message to users is to enjoy their journeys but do plan the trip, including the one home, because services are very popular.”

There have been calls for neighbouring authority Neath Port Talbot to run a similar scheme, however the authority opted to provide free car parking in it’s town centre car parks instead.

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