The new TaithCymru coach will run nine times a day in each direction between Carmarthen railway station and Bangor when it launches on Sunday 25 October, Transport for Wales has confirmed.
One late-night journey each day will carry on beyond Bangor to Holyhead railway station and port. Transport for Wales says that improves connections with rail and ferry services for Anglesey and Ireland.
Edwards Coaches has been appointed to run the service as lead operator, working with Llew Jones. Both firms are now recruiting drivers ahead of the launch.
Every stop from Carmarthen to Bangor, and a five-hour run end to end
From Carmarthen, the coach calls at Aberaeron, Aberystwyth bus station, Aberystwyth University, Machynlleth, Dolgellau, Porthmadog and Caernarfon before reaching Bangor railway station.
The full journey is expected to take about five hours. TfW says that is up to an hour faster than existing public transport, with no change of vehicle.
Eight new coaches have been bought for the route. They are wheelchair accessible with dedicated luggage space, and the timetable is designed to connect with rail, local buses and TrawsCymru.
Lee Robinson, TfW’s executive director for regional transport and integration, said the appointment was “an important step towards giving customers a new way to travel across Wales”.
“The daily late-night extension to Holyhead will also strengthen links with Anglesey, Ireland and the wider public transport network,” he said.
Driving jobs with Edwards Coaches and Llew Jones
Jessica Thomas, from Edwards Coaches, said the firm was “proud to have been chosen” as lead operator. “We’re now recruiting drivers to join our team and help us provide the friendly, dependable service our customers expect.”
Steve Jones, from Llew Jones, said the partnership would “create better links for the communities we serve”. “We’re also looking for drivers to join us and play a key role in introducing this important new connection.”
Tickets from 6 October, fares still to come
Tickets go on sale online on Tuesday 6 October. TfW says more on fares and booking will appear on its website “shortly”, so two weeks before sales open, the price of a seat is still not public.
The coach will pull in at a station TfW is already asking passengers about. Its survey on making Carmarthen station work better as a train and coach interchange is open until 12 October.
The £2m committed to TaithCymru covers its first year, and the Welsh Government has said it will assess demand before deciding whether to fund it beyond that.
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