New ‘TaithCymru’ coach service to transform north-south Wales travel

A new daily long-distance coach service connecting the north and south of Wales will come into service from Sunday 25 October.

TaithCymru will run daily between Bangor and Carmarthen calling at Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron, cutting journey times by more than an hour and improving access to jobs, education, healthcare, and leisure for communities along the route.

Tickets can be purchased from Tuesday 6 October via an online booking system which is being developed and run by Transport for Wales. Fares are being finalised and will be made available once the system is live.

TaithCymru is one of the Welsh Government’s 100-day commitments and forms part of its wider ambition to build a more integrated, multimodal public transport network across Wales. It will connect key regional centres, working alongside existing services including TrawsCymru, local bus services and Fflecsi, helping to encourage a shift away from car travel and supporting the Welsh Government's sustainable tourism and decarbonisation goals.

Announcing the name of the coach, Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper said;

“I am delighted that we have delivered on our 100-day commitment to prepare to launch a new coach service linking the north and the south of Wales.

“Transport for Wales has worked at pace to deliver this scheme which I am pleased to announce will launch on 25 October.

“TaithCymru plays a vitally important role in connecting towns and communities, making it a quicker, easier and more reliable way to travel to access work, education, and leisure.”

Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales, said:

"TaithCymru represents a major step forward in improving connectivity between north and south Wales. This new service will provide faster, more convenient and more sustainable journeys, helping people access employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities while supporting our wider ambition of creating a truly integrated public transport network for Wales. TaithCymru is a great example of what can be achieved when we come together with a shared vision to improve transport for communities across the country. The commitment, collaboration and determination shown by teams across Transport for Wales to bring this service to life has been outstanding.”

As well as improving connectivity the service will also open-up sustainable tourism to destinations including Eryri National Park, the Llŷn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay, and supports Wales' transition to a greener economy by providing a low-carbon alternative to the car.