TrawsCambria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- See also: Transport in Wales
TrawsCambria is a brand name applied to a network of long- and middle-distance express bus routes in Wales which are sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government.
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[edit] Background
The TrawsCambria name was formerly applied specifically to the Crosville (later Arriva) 701 coach route linking Holyhead and Bristol via Dolgellau, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Cardiff. This route was modified in the early 2000s, with the northern terminus changed to Llandudno and withdrawal of the Cardiff to Bristol section.
In late 2004 the 701 was withdrawn north of Aberystwyth and a new express X32 route started in its place between Aberystwyth and Bangor. Since then, several additional routes have been added and TrawsCambria has evolved from a single route into a network of services.
'Traws', pronounced to rhyme with 'house', is the Welsh equivalent for 'cross' as in cross-country. Therefore TrawsCambria is roughly equivalent to Cross-Cambria or perhaps Trans-Cambrian in English.
[edit] Current Service
With long-distance limited stop coaches being largely impractical for serving the dispersed population of Wales, the TrawsCambria network has evolved into a compromise solution between express coaches and regular service buses: it provides long-distance journey opportunities between Welsh towns while also catering for shorter-distance passenger flows along its route.
Today's services are mostly operated using a fleet of modern single-deck buses that, while not being of express coach standard, are significantly more comfortable than normal service buses.
Since the introduction of the new low-floor fleet, concerns and complaints have grown about the comfort of having a 'service bus' for a four hour journey from Aberystwyth to Cardiff. There is no on-board toilet or baggage space, which does not make an ideal situation for such a distance with toilet breaks (even though there are limited facilities along the rural route) frowned upon as they would interfere with the timetable.
TrawsCambria is co-ordinated by the Welsh Assembly Government with the actual bus services being provided by a variety of private bus companies. Each company has painted their vehicles in their own corporate colours, but a common design (actually derived from Arriva's identity) is used and TrawsCambria logos are also applied.
[edit] Routes
X32: Bangor to Aberystwyth via Porthmadog, Dolgellau and Machynlleth. Runs roughly once each way every two hours Mondays to Saturdays, with two return services on Sunday. This service was introduced in November 2004 and is operated by Arriva North-West & Wales.
X40: Aberystwyth to Carmarthen via Aberaeron and Lampeter, plus extensions to Cardiff. The core Aberystwyth to Carmarthen sees a generally hourly service Mondays to Saturdays. Two services a day are extended to/from Cardiff via Swansea and these journeys also operate on Sundays. Service introduced February 2005 and operated jointly by Arriva North-West & Wales and First Group.
X50: Aberystwyth and Aberaeron to Cardigan. An hourly service between Aberaeron and Cardigan, with 4 journeys extended to/from Aberystwyth. This route complements the slower 550 bus route which runs parallel, apart from a lengthy diversion to New Quay. Service introduced in October 2005 and operated by Richards Brothers, a local independent bus company.
X94: Barmouth to Wrexham via Dolgellau, Bala and Llangollen. A generally hourly service which closely mirrors a railway route closed in 1965. This service was introduced in March 2005 and is operated by Arriva North-West & Wales.
704: Newtown to Brecon. A two-hourly service which is unusual in not connecting with any other TrawsCambria services at any point, as well as being on a route that has not seen a regular bus service since 1970. Although Brecon may not be an especially popular destination for Newtown residents, there are onward connections available to Cardiff and Abergavenny by using Sixty-Sixty Buses Service X43. This service started in January 2006 and is operated by Stagecoach Group.
[edit] External links
- Official TrawsCambria website
- TrawsCambria information from Traveline Cymru
- Aberystwyth Buses and Coaches - focuses on Aberystwyth but also includes a map showing all TrawsCambria routes.
| Bus transport in Wales | edit |
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Regional: Arriva Cymru | Shamrock Travel Group | Cardiff Bus | First Cymru | Islwyn Borough Transport | Stagecoach Wales | Newport Transport |
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National: Megabus | National Express | TrawsCambria |
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