Transport for Wales launch NHS Staff discounted bus fare scheme

Transport for Wales will now offer discounted fares for Hywel Dda staff on certain TrawsCymru bus services.

Following a three-month free travel pilot, Transport for Wales (TfW) has teamed up with Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) to offer long term discounted bus travel for health board staff to encourage workers to travel more sustainably and to help reduce pressure on NHS car parks.

The bus services included within the promotion are the T1, T1A, T1X and T2, T28.

Hywel Dda UHB staff will be able to catch the TrawsCymru T1 service, operated by First Cymru, that runs between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth town centres via Glangwili Hospital and on the TrawsCymru T2 and T28 service between Aberystwyth town centre and Bronglais Hospital.

During the free bus trial between March and June, just under 3,000 journeys were made by health board, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust staff on these routes.

The new discounted fares will offer between 20% and 36% saving depending on the type of ticket purchased.

The discounted fares will be available to staff on the TrawsCymru app after a verification process or can be purchased on board by showing NHS staff photo ID.

Work is on-going between TfW and the health board to extend the offer to other routes and to introduce long-term discounted fares throughout the region.

Mark Jacobs, Contracts and Performance Manager for TrawsCymru, said:

“This is a fantastic example of where public transport can provide meaningful change in supporting the health board’s ambitions to reduce congestion in its car parks and encourage its staff to make more sustainable travel choices by giving the bus a go.

“I’d like to thank our operators at First Cymru and Lloyds Coaches for their support of this scheme and we look forward to continue working with Hywel Dda UHB and considering further opportunities to run similar pilots on TrawsCymru services in other parts of Wales.”

Gareth Rees, Deputy Director of Operations at Hywel Dda UHB, said:

“As one of the largest employers in Wales, we are committed to supporting our staff to access sustainable modes of transport.

“We’d like to thank Transport for Wales for this offer and extending it to the T2 and T28 service as far as Bronglais Hospital following an enthusiastic response from our staff.

“We know this may not be an option for everyone, but choosing sustainable modes of transport, even if it is once or twice a week, can add up to a significant impact on an individual’s carbon footprint, save money and help alleviate parking pressures on busy hospital sites.