Ein Newyddion Winter 2017

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The magazine for First people in South & West Wales

Winter 2017

Newyddi

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KENNY SWEEPS PAST

50YEARS MILESTONE IN STYLE PAGE THREE

Get set for crucial

survey PAGE FOUR

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First spirit delivers both quality and care

By First Cymru Managing Director

Justin Davies THIS year we face new challenges and opportunities, especially with the further expansion of Swansea University and what seems to be ever increasing volumes of traffic.

An important part of our business growth strategy is creating a service and environment where more and more people choose to travel by bus.

Achieving this is obviously good for the company, but it also has a positive knock-on for the community we serve, protects the environment and can help reduce traffic congestion.

Our Unibus service – which has won prestigious regional and national awards – is a good example of this. We work with partners to provide reliable, high quality buses, value-for-money ticketing and links between university sites. But the service also boosts the night time economy and student safety.

Each and every one of us can play our part in making our services as attractive as possible to customers, and I appreciate all your efforts to achieve customer service requirements of reliability and punctuality.

That’s the First spirit... a commitment to care, to serve and to be the very best we can.

I’d like to ask you all to complete the YourVoice survey which starts on February 6 and is available online.

It provides important feedback and in the past the information gathered has led to initiatives like the Excellence Awards and Be Safe.

Just visit yourvoicesurvey.com

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WINTER 2017

Unibus Driver Chris Evans with a Service 8 vehicle at Swansea bus station.

Unibus graduates with top honours NIVERSITY bus services in Swansea scooped First Cymru and its partners a pair of prestigious awards.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK presented its awards for both Wales and the UK in the Best Practice for Passenger Transport category in recognition of the Bay Campus services.

The network, which serves 8,000 students, not only relieves pressure on the roads and parking around the campus, but also contributes to student safety. The partnership between First, the university and other stakeholders collected feedback

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from staff and students before launching a tailored service to meet their needs including special tickets, new links on the Services 8 and 10 and mTicketing.

Since the new bus services were launched in 2015, usage has grown from 3,900 student passes to in excess of 5,500 for 2015/16.

This means that Swansea University has the largest student bus service in Wales. First Cymru’s mTicketing has been extremely popular with students, with thousands purchasing their tickets through the mobile app.

Justin Davies, Managing

Director of First Cymru, said: “We’re thrilled to be recognised at the annual CILT Awards.

“The project emphasises sustainable transport and gives more staff and students than ever the opportunity to travel across the city to the campus.

The Bay Campus is a fantastic achievement for Swansea University and we’re delighted that they have got a public transport network to match.”

Rest stops to be scheduled at new hub REST facilities for drivers have now been included in Port Talbot’s £5.6 million integrated transport hub. It means rest stops will be scheduled at the new station, relieving pressure on the Port Talbot depot rest room.

Phase 1 of the project, creating new access roads, is set to be complete in late January/early February and thankfully did not cause too much disruption to bus services.

Port Talbot Staff Operations Manager David

Cooksley said: “The works caused one or two minor delays to services, but fair play to the drivers, they have coped well and phase two of the works should have even less of an impact on bus services.”

First Cymru has been in regular discussions with Neath Port Talbot Council to monitor progress of the works.

The new hub links in with the £11.3 million redevelopment of the Parkway railway station by Network Rail.

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Steve’s paint job is a real winner ANS of Ospreys Rugby Club and Swansea City Football Club can get in the big match spirit as they travel to the Liberty Stadium on three specially liveried buses.

The striking vehicles, which travel regularly on service 34 between Neath and Swansea, are the work of Port Talbot Bodybuilder Steve Griffiths, who is proud of his latest vehicles.

The bus features both club crests and a striking black and pink design, all painted by hand by Steve.

He said: “The buses came about after discussions with the Liberty Stadium, home of The Ospreys and The Swans, which is a destination for the 34 service.

“Thousands of fans see the buses every day and I’ve had lots of good feedback about the paint job, especially the black front and pink stripe. I paint quite a lot of vehicles but really like this one.”

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Bodybuilder Steve Griffiths points to the Ospreys and Swansea City emblems on one of the Liberty Stadium liveried buses he painted.

Tribute to ‘treasured’ driver COLLEAGUES paid tribute to Swansea Driver Kenny Beckers who has celebrated an astonishing 50 years’ service in the industry.

The father of four and grandfather of six started work as a bus conductor in 1966 and took his seat behind the wheel of a bus four years later.

He has driven ever since, and was presented with a framed photograph of the vehicles he has driven over the years to mark his long service milestone.

Kenny, aged 68, whose favourite drive takes in the stunning coastal scenery of the Mumbles route in Swansea, also received models of two buses in a special presentation box.

First Cymru Managing Director Justin Davies, currently the Interim MD at First Glasgow, said: “Kenny is an incredibly well-respected and treasured member of the team.

“To this day he performs to the highest standard and has a great rapport with customers.

Kenny Beckers behind the wheel of his bus.

“Kenny’s knowledge of the industry is second-to-none and it’s fantastic for our younger drivers who learn so much from him.”

Kenny, who still works three days a week, said: “I have had the chance to drive the buses along many incredible routes across our region.

“Doing this job for the past 50 years has been very rewarding.

“I’ve met many fantastic people and learned so much.

The opportunities I have had working in this industry have been endless and I hope to continue for many more years to come.”

Restored mini wins best car accolade MINI fan Steve Williams has twice been crowned King of the Road by his fellow enthusiasts. Around 250 other drivers taking part in a cavalcade of minis have voted his restored 2000 Mini Cooper Sport – in stylish charcoal with an orange roof – as their Driver’s Choice of best car.

Steve – a Driver and Health and Safety Rep at Maesteg depot – said: “I’ve always had Minis. I saw one in a magazine when I was a teenager and fell in love.”

Mick bought his pride and joy as a shell and has trawled for spare parts to personally restore it to a virtually pristine standard.

He enjoys taking it to shows every year, and said the modifications he has made – including upgraded brakes and suspension and a finely tuned engine – have improved on what was always a great classic car.

WINTER 2017

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Investing in drivers to boost

Technology and people are key to great services

customer service D

By GILES FEARNLEY, Managing Director, First Bus

SCAN GRAPHIC

NEW technology and a TO SEE VIDEO commitment to provide the very best bus services will be the cornerstone of 2017. New ticket machines, contactless payment and an exciting new app will all enable us a step change in the customer experience. But our people are vital in providing punctual, reliable services, which is also so vital to growing passenger numbers. I urge everyone to play their part.

Much was achieved in 2016 despite very challenging conditions around the economy, congestion and low fuel prices which encourage some people to use their car. Manchester’s Vantage guided busway, which has seen passenger numbers increase by over 75 per cent in eight months, and the Leeds Partnership, a £180 million strategy to double customer numbers over 10 years, are excellent examples of us working successfully with local authorities.

This is so crucial in unlocking the full potential of our bus services. I’m so pleased too that last year we saw continued investment in new vehicles.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done in 2016 has really benefitted our customers.

We still, however, face the same challenges going into 2017, so everyone must focus on enabling us to make great strides in punctuality and reliability. This will be the year when we transform the technology we offer. But while technology

Complete it online from February 6!

www.yourvoice survey.com

“”

Password: BUS2017 is vital, people doing their jobs well is most important to deliver great bus services.

I would urge all colleagues to complete the Your Voice survey in February to help improve our business this year. The 2015 survey has led to many local initiatives, but also to nationwide improvements like BeSafe and the Excellence Awards, projects on staff development, wellbeing and uniforms.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done has really benefitted our customers.

We will continue to react to our local marketplaces to make sure we have strong foundations to operate successfully in our towns and cities.

I know I can rely on all colleagues to meet these challenges, deliver great services and a successful 2017.

with the First Bus and First Scotland AR apps Download the First AR app or the First Scotland AR app from App Store or Google Play.

Scan the photo on the pages where you see this AR icon.

SCAN PHOTO

TO SEE VIDEO

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WINTER 2017

■ New, informal job chats for drivers with their managers, based on what drivers want to talk about. The emphasis will be on responding to issues raised and making sure they feel heard and valued.

■ Allocating drivers to fixed routes to increase team spirit and ownership of route performance. Having regular drivers on a route also helps them build relationships with their customers.

Other colleagues are included in the initiative. A special ‘Journey Makers’ training programme is being designed and will also be piloted in Bristol and York to help everyone (including non-driving colleagues) understand what customers need and and how everyone has a responsibility to do their bit to deliver the best customer service.

Drivers are out on the roads every day, dealing with customers, and everyone can help make it easier for them to provide great service.

The Journey Makers programme will be rolled out across all OpCos from April.

Mel Rees, Interim Head of Customer Experience, said: “There’s no doubt driving buses is a difficult job, and it’s easy for our drivers to feel isolated. So we will be working hard to make sure

Informal job chats are part of supporting drivers in doing their jobs.

Southampton Supervisor Jimi Kazi, left, talks with Driver Robbie Symms over a cuppa in the Empress Road depot canteen. colleagues understand the pressures they are under and how to support them.

“I want our drivers to feel they have an army of people behind them when they go out on the road – so we will be working with all teams who can have an impact on this, from engineers to staff managers and radio operators, so we all become Journey Makers for our customers.”

Drivers are supported by colleagues in many ways.

Here Aberdeen Incident Investigator Steve Gordon uses a model to help drivers avoid tailswing.

EXPERIENCE MORE...

By downloading either of these two FREE apps on to your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) you can bring photographs in this magazine to life using the power of the augmented reality (AR) technology. To access the bonus video content with an innovative twist, simply follow the three easy steps:

RIVERS are at the heart of an exciting initiative to improve customers’ experience and attract more people to travel with First Bus. Significant pressures are faced by drivers every day, so the company has launched pilot initiatives in Bristol and York aimed at improving their experience and making them feel better supported.

All of this will contribute to the company’s commitment to maintain and grow the business by addressing three key “pain points” experienced by customers.

Research identified these as a lack of belief in the reliability of services; complexity in understanding ticketing; fares; payments and routes; and a lack of customer relationship.

The principle is that by providing more support for drivers and making it easier to do their job, customer service will naturally improve. Moves are also underway to improve communications and technology to address the three “pain points”.

Some of the changes proposed to improve the way drivers feel about their work are simple but should have a significant impact.

These include: ■ Improving canteens to provide a better rest environment.

When the video starts double tap your screen for a full-screen view.

Hi-tech makes bus less fuss A huge advertising campaign has been launched to show customers how First Bus’s technology makes it easier to use the bus.

It promotes the mTickets app, travel app, website and free WiFi on buses as tech that makes the bus less fuss.

A video ad shows how a new animated character, called Ben, even gets an extra 10 minutes in bed by using tech to catch his bus.

Around 35 million adverts will go out in the four month online and social media campaign.

The ads all show the reasons why people don’t use the bus and counter this with a positive reason why they can, using the latest tech.

Marketing Projects Manager Judy Giles said: “By encouraging the use of the tech there’s less fuss on the bus. Boarding is quicker, there’s not so much cash to handle, fewer change vouchers and it’s easier to check to counterfeit notes and tickets.”

The video featuring Ben can be viewed at bit.do/getthebus withlessfuss

WINTER 2017

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Ein Newyddion p4-5

19/1/17

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Page 1

Investing in drivers to boost

Technology and people are key to great services

customer service D

By GILES FEARNLEY, Managing Director, First Bus

SCAN GRAPHIC

NEW technology and a TO SEE VIDEO commitment to provide the very best bus services will be the cornerstone of 2017. New ticket machines, contactless payment and an exciting new app will all enable us a step change in the customer experience. But our people are vital in providing punctual, reliable services, which is also so vital to growing passenger numbers. I urge everyone to play their part.

Much was achieved in 2016 despite very challenging conditions around the economy, congestion and low fuel prices which encourage some people to use their car. Manchester’s Vantage guided busway, which has seen passenger numbers increase by over 75 per cent in eight months, and the Leeds Partnership, a £180 million strategy to double customer numbers over ten years, are excellent examples of us working successfully with local authorities.

This is so crucial in unlocking the full potential of our bus services. I’m so pleased too that last year we saw continued investment in new vehicles.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done in 2016 has really benefitted our customers.

We still however face the same challenges going into 2017, so everyone must focus on enabling us to make great strides in punctuality and reliability. This will be the year when we transform the technology we offer. But while technology

Complete it online from February 6!

www.yourvoice survey.com

“”

Password: BUS2017 is vital, people doing their jobs well is most important to deliver great bus services.

I would urge all colleagues to complete the Your Voice survey in February to help improve our business this year. The 2015 survey has led to many local initiatives, but also to nationwide improvements like BeSafe and the Excellence Awards, projects on staff development, wellbeing and uniforms.

Most important of all is that so much of what we have done has really benefitted our customers.

We will continue to react to our local marketplaces to make sure we have strong foundation to operate successfully in our towns and cities. I know I can rely on all colleagues to meet these challenges, deliver great services and a successful 2017.

with the First Bus and First Scotland AR apps Download the First AR app or the First Scotland AR app from App Store or Google Play.

Scan the photo on the pages where you see this AR icon.

SCAN PHOTO

TO SEE VIDEO

4

WINTER 2017

■ New, informal job chats for drivers with their managers, based on what drivers want to talk about. The emphasis will be on responding to issues raised and making sure they feel heard and valued.

■ Allocating drivers to fixed routes to increase team spirit and ownership of route performance. Having regular drivers on a route also helps them build relationships with their customers.

Other colleagues are included in the initiative. A special ‘Journey Makers’ training programme is being designed and will also be piloted in Bristol and York to help everyone (including non-driving colleagues) understand what customers need and and how everyone has a responsibility to do their bit to deliver the best customer service.

Drivers are out on the roads every day, dealing with customers, and everyone can help make it easier for them to provide great service.

The Journey Makers programme will be rolled out across all OpCos from April.

Mel Rees, Interim Head of Customer Experience, said: “There’s no doubt driving buses is a difficult job, and it’s easy for our drivers to feel isolated. So we will be working hard to make sure

Informal job chats are part of supporting drivers in doing their jobs.

Southampton Supervisor Jimi Kazi, left, talks with Driver Robbie Symms over a cuppa in the Empress Road depot canteen. colleagues understand the pressures they are under and how to support them.

“I want our drivers to feel they have an army of people behind them when they go out on the road – so we will be working with all teams who can have an impact on this, from engineers to staff managers and radio operators, so we all become Journey Makers for our customers.”

Drivers are supported by colleagues in many ways.

Here Aberdeen Incident Investigator Steve Gordon uses a model to help drivers avoid tailswing.

EXPERIENCE MORE...

By downloading either of these two FREE apps on to your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android) you can bring photographs in this magazine to life using the power of the augmented reality (AR) technology. To access the bonus video content with an innovative twist, simply follow the three easy steps:

RIVERS are at the heart of an exciting initiative to improve customers’ experience and attract more people to travel with First Bus. Significant pressures are faced by drivers every day, so the company has launched pilot initiatives in Bristol and York aimed at improving their experience and making them feel better supported.

All of this will contribute to the company’s commitment to maintain and grow the business by addressing three key “pain points” experienced by customers.

Research identified these as a lack of belief in the reliability of services; complexity in understanding ticketing; fares; payments and routes; and a lack of customer relationship.

The principle is that by providing more support for drivers and making it easier to do their job, customer service will naturally improve. Moves are also underway to improve communications and technology to address the three “pain points”.

Some of the changes proposed to improve the way drivers feel about their work are simple but should have a significant impact.

These include: ■ Improving canteens to provide a better rest environment.

When the video starts double tap your screen for a full-screen view.

Hi-tech makes bus less fuss A huge advertising campaign has been launched to show customers how First Bus’s technology makes it easier to use the bus.

It promotes the mTickets app, travel app, website and free WiFi on buses as tech that makes the bus less fuss.

A video ad shows how a new animated character, called Ben, even gets an extra 10 minutes in bed by using tech to catch his bus.

Around 35 million adverts will go out in the four month online and social media campaign.

The ads all show the reasons why people don’t use the bus and counter this with a positive reason why they can, using the latest tech.

Marketing Projects Manager Judy Giles said: “By encouraging the use of the tech there’s less fuss on the bus. Boarding is quicker, there’s not so much cash to handle, fewer change vouchers and it’s easier to check to counterfeit notes and tickets.”

The video featuring Ben can be viewed at bit.do/getthebus withlessfuss

WINTER 2017

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THUMBS UP ON SAFETY: Swansea Operations Manager Mark Jacobs, left, has a Touchpoint conversation with Driver Brian Gorvett at the city’s bus station.

New mobile app will help drive more customers to mTickets FIRST Bus is set to launch a new mobile app bringing together its journey planning and mTicketing and significantly improving customer experience.

The new app, which is on schedule to be trialled and launched between March and July this year, will offer a Google Maps-based journey planning and vehicle tracking service – complete with places of interest – with an option to buy tickets always on offer.

The aim is to drive more and more customers to the mTicketing platform, which is already saving hundreds of hours a week in boarding time across the UK and makes operating the bus much more straightforward for the driver.

First Bus Retail Development Director James Timperley said: “mTicketing significantly reduces boarding time and the amount of cash onboard a bus, so it improves journey times and makes life easier for drivers.

“We are achieving revenues of £1 million a week through mTicketing and in some areas it accounts for 20 per cent of all ticketing sales. We expect the new app to significantly increase these numbers.”

Confidential support FREE 24-hour confidential advice and support is available to all First Bus colleagues through the company’s Employee Assistance Programme.

Anyone with a problem at home or work can contact the team by calling freephone 0800 015 5630.

Trained operators are there to help with issues from legal and financial enquiries to debt management and wellbeing.

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WINTER 2017

Positive messages in the workplace ORE than 1,400 supervisors and managers have completed a two-day training course on BeSafe principals and how to put them into practice in the workplace.

Since BeSafe was launched a year ago, each OpCo has selected dedicated champions who are there to provide help, with access to a library of materials and a dedicated training/support and quality assurance team.

BeSafe is all about recognising when colleagues are working safely, positively reinforcing these safe behaviours so they continue

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and happen more often. It encourages everyone to have conversations (touchpoints) about safety, making safety a personal core value and helping us all to reach the goal of zero harm.

Norman Wood, Divisional

Health and Safety Project Manager, said: “We want to recognise, praise and positively reinforce our safe behaviours.

This can be as simple as saying well done when someone is doing the right thing.

“BeSafe also allows us all to constructively challenge someone if they are working unsafe. Rather than just telling them off, we want colleagues to understand why it is unsafe and be able to self-correct and to work safely in the future.”

All safety leaders have learned about techniques to support colleagues by having BeSafe conversations in a natural way.

Brew and bake for chosen charity TEA and cake events will be staged throughout First Bus in February to raise money for our employee-voted charity of choice, Prostate Cancer UK. Packs including posters, bunting and labels are available for colleagues organising Brew and Bake sessions between February 13-19.

Group Partnerships and Events Manager Kirstin Aram said: “We’re urging colleagues to

get the kettle on, bake a cake and help beat the most common cancer in men.”

Colleagues can order Brew and Bake packs by contacting: firstgroup@prostatecanceruk.org or telephone 020 3310 7061.

Since the start of the partnership in April 2015, FirstGroup has donated in excess of £400,000 in employee fundraising, corporate donations and Gift in Kind advertising.

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Stylish new uniforms set to be rolled out EW uniforms will be rolled out to thousands of First Bus drivers starting at the end of February.

Colleagues are advised to keep an eye on notice boards for local timings of the introduction which will see drivers and supervisors receiving 22 items of clothing for work. Updates include: ■ Men’s shirts in a classic or tailored fit.

■ Women’s blouses fitted with modesty buttons.

■ Slimmer ties and more delicate women’s scarves.

■ Trousers with an elastic waistband for extra comfort.

■ Redesigned outdoor jackets which are more practical for all types of weather.

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Two new items have been added to the uniform range to provide even more flexibility.

The sholo is a cross between a shirt and a polo and is available to all drivers.

The shirt-style front looks smart and means drivers can wear a tie or scarf, but the back is made of polo material making it breathable and flexible on warm days.

There is also a bodywarmer which provides an extra option on cool days.

Carol Jones, Head of Indirect Procurement and Project Lead, said: “We trialled the uniform in five depots across the business in the summer, and made changes based on the feedback we received to make sure we made the final designs work for everyone.”

Bradford Supervisor Jodie Warburton and Manchester Supervisor Chris Bradbury model the stylish new uniforms.

Supreme Court ruling clarifies law on wheelchair space priority use THE Supreme Court in London has made a ruling on the long-running court case involving the priority use of the wheelchair space onboard buses.

The case dates back to 2012 when customer and wheelchair user Doug Paulley could not get on a bus in West Yorkshire because a pushchair user refused to give up the wheelchair space – despite being asked to move by the driver.

First Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley explained: “We are currently awaiting further details from the Supreme Court which will help us interpret the decision and make any necessary changes. However, I’m pleased to report that drivers will not be required to remove customers from vehicles. This is really important. Throughout the legal process we fought hard to ensure drivers would not be

required to remove passengers from the bus.

From what we understand drivers can verbally be more forceful and advise customers they are ‘required’ to move. We will alert all drivers and other relevant colleagues to any changes as soon as we can.

“In the meantime, I’d ask drivers to please continue to adhere to our current policy around the use of the wheelchair space. Our policy makes clear that in the event of a wheelchair user wanting to board, and if the space is already occupied by other passengers, our drivers should request firmly, but politely, customers using that space to vacate it.

“If a customer refuses to, or cannot, move from the wheelchair space, the driver should apologise to the wheelchair user, ask them to wait for the next bus and call Control so they

are aware. The driver should also complete a ‘failure to uplift a wheelchair’ form.”

The Supreme Court judgment is attracting a lot of interest from national and local media. In the unlikely event that a First Bus employee is approached by a member of the media they should decline to comment and refer them to the First Group media team on 0207 725 3354. If a customer wishes to discuss the ruling, employees should apologise and explain that they are unable to discuss the case.

Giles added: “Please rest assured that First Bus remains committed to supporting vulnerable customers, and our work with a range of agencies – including Disability Action Alliance, the RNIB and Age UK – to find ways of supporting customers’ access to our services will continue.”

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Walking club is reaching new heights RACING hikes are attracting more and more members to Bridgend’s popular walking club.

Driver Stephen Keefe launched the regular get togethers with a climb up Pen-y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons. Colleagues taking part not only enjoy the scenery, fresh air and a chance to get fit, but have also raised cash for First’s official charity Prostate Cancer UK. Since the first walk the group have scaled Pen-y-Fan again, this time in better conditions, walked a seven mile route around the Blaengarw destination served by a popular route from the depot and taken in a route around Cardiff Bay.

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Members of the Bridgend Walking Club, left to right, Drivers Megan Wickham and Terry Lambert, Technician Ian Griffiths, Jason Salkeld, of Control, and Driver Stephen Keefe pictured at the Brecon Beacons National Park with First Bus batons which they took up Pen-y-Fan.

Stephen, a member of Vale of Glamorgan Ramblers, became a keen walker to keep fit after being diagnosed with blood clots in his legs a few years ago.

He said the Bridgend Walking Club had really captured colleagues’ imagination and praised the company for supporting them by providing office space, a noticeboard and printing facilities.

Stephen said: “Everyone is welcome to join the walks and so far we’ve had colleagues, family and friends joining us.

“It has been so enjoyable and a great way to get drivers out in the fresh air for exercise and a social get together.”

Now plans are in place to arrange a walk to include colleagues from Port Talbot and Swansea in a trek in the Llynfi Valley.

And drivers walk 19-mile route DRIVERS took on a gruelling 19 mile trek of the route they usually cover at the wheel of a bus to raise £700 for Prostate Cancer UK. First Bus topped up the amount raised by the Unibus team at Swansea through the company’s match funding initiative.

The UniBus network operated by First Cymru connects the Singleton Park Campus and Bay Campus of Swansea University and the student residence areas of the city including the Student Village, Sketty, Uplands, Brynmill and the City Centre.

Driver Colin Farrell organised the walk, and said the 12 to 15 drivers who took part were not regular walkers.

Colin said: “We suffered a bit the next day but we are already planning to repeat the walk in the summer. We’d like colleagues from any First Cymru depots to join us and make the event as big as possible and raise Uni Bus Driver as much money as we Andrew Stevens, who can.” took part in the 19-mile To find out more or charity trek, is in training sign up for the walk please contact Colin at for the next fundraising Swansea depot. walk from Swansea

bus station.

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First wins important service NEGOTIATIONS with the Welsh National Assembly led to First Cymru launching the T1C service from Carmarthen to Swansea and Cardiff.

It replaces the former service 701 which ceased when its operator went into insolvency.

First has stepped in to run the government funded service, which is a once per day extension of the existing service T1 which runs all the way from Aberystwyth, via Carmarthen, to Swansea and Cardiff.

Swansea Operations Manager Mark Jacobs said: “The service runs on smart liveried buses. It’s great to win the contract to provide this important route which serves both commuters and visitors to the area.”