Free bus travel Swansea - weekends from Friday 28th July until Monday 28th August

The free bus travel initiative is back for the summer, which will run on long weekends from Friday 28th July until Bank Holiday Monday 28th August (until 7pm). Terms apply which means that journeys have to start and finish within the Swansea Council area.

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Press Release


Almost half a million summer rides on the free buses

• SWANSEA'S pioneering free bus initiative has been a smash-hit with residents, new figures reveal.
• The city's free bus offer will be making a welcome return for the summer holidays next month, but new official figures show how the initiative has encouraged hundreds of thousands of trips by bus locally.
• Council figures show that in its launch summer in 2021 almost 214,000 people took advantage of the offer between July and August. That figure rose to more than 222,000 in the same period the following summer.
• And now it's been confirmed for the weekends of this year's school summer holidays too, the number of users could climb even higher.
• Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said the latest figures show the free bus offer has been an enduring success, welcome by thousands of families struggling to make ends meet in the cost of living crisis.
• "We pioneered this initiative to support families and businesses as we emerged from the pandemic. But it has come into its own during the cost-of-living crisis to help so many people make ends meet.
• "The response from the public to the free travel offer has been brilliant. We have heard from many families who have benefitted and the feedback shows it's really made a difference.
• "To see getting on for half a million journeys in two summer holiday periods alone just demonstrates how popular and useful it's been for so many people.
• "It's also helped give a lift to businesses in the city centre and at our coastal destinations."
• He added: "It's great to see other local authorities across Wales and the UK follow our lead, learn from our experience and come up with initiatives of their own because it means even more people will benefit."
• In the first weeks following its launch in summer 2021, the Swansea free bus initiative saw a surge in bus passengers with operators Adventure Travel witnessing a 70% rise on some of its routes.
• Since then the initiative has become a feature of a number of school holidays, supporting families on day outs, tourism and hospitality businesses.
• Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the free bus initiative is an incentive to people to leave their cars at home and use public transport more often.
• He said: "It's good news for the environment, helping to reduce pollution and congestion and will encourage people to use public transport even when the free offer is not on."
• This summer's free bus offer will run on long weekends until 7pm from Friday 28th July until Bank Holiday Monday 28th August. The usual terms will apply which means that journeys have to start and finish within the Swansea Council area.

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FAQ's

Who can use it?

We all can. If you're travelling for work in Swansea or to enjoy a day out in the city centre or at one of our brilliant beaches, the service is free. You do not need to show proof that you live in Swansea to receive free travel.

What bus services are included in the offer?

Bus services operated by First Cymru, Adventure Travel, South Wales Transport, DANSA and Briggs are included. The only services that are not included are:

• First Cymru open-top bus to Mumbles (number 1)
• Longer-distance coach services operated by National Express, Megabus and Flixbus
• First Cymru's Services 9A and 34 to and from the park and ride car parks.

If I get on a bus that's going to a place outside the area, will I be charged even if I'm getting off in Swansea?

No. You just state your Swansea destination and take your seat.

If I'm going outside the area will I be charged the whole journey or just for the part that isn't in Swansea?

If you are heading to a destination outside the Swansea area you have to pay for the whole trip. Please let the driver know when you get on board the bus. The cheapest option is normally a day ticket.

I want to go to the Bay Campus from Swansea Bus Station, for example. Will I be charged the whole journey or just for the part that's in Neath Port Talbot?

You will be charged the whole fare. Our offer is only for a journey that is completely inside the Swansea area. If you are heading outside Swansea, you have to tell the driver your destination and pay the appropriate full fare.

Does this apply to park and ride?

No, but there are other offers available if you wish to use the park and ride services.

Who is paying for the free service?

It's being paid for by the council because we want to encourage people to use our local bus services now that the pandemic restrictions are easing.

What if I have a season ticket?

You won't need to show it while the offer is on. But there won't be any refunds or extension of your season ticket.

I already have a free concessionary bus pass - how does this affect me?

People who hold an All Wales Concessionary Travel Pass may continue to travel free of charge and passes should be shown as normal to the driver when boarding the bus.

Do I just have to get on the bus? Do I have to state my destination or get a ticket from the driver?

If the bus is operating wholly within Swansea all you need to do is get on board and enjoy the ride. If you're getting on a bus that's travelling outside Swansea please let your driver know so you can pay the appropriate fare. The offer applies only to those journeys which start and finish in Swansea.

Will all bus operators operate the same way?

Yes. It'll be exactly the same whichever bus company you're riding with.