Bwcabws reaching even more highways

Bwcabus is reaching even more highways, byways and farmsteads in remotest Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion than ever before.

Welsh Minister with responsibility for Transport, Carl Sargeant, launched the extended Bwcabus service for Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion at Lampeter University on Monday.

The innovative and popular transport service in West Wales has transformed lives, allowing passengers especially the elderly a degree of independence to organise their lives.

And it has been expanded with additional financial support from the Welsh Government which is in addition to the £1.8 million which has been committed to the project through the European Regional Development Fund.

New additional areas served by the extended service are in North Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion including Lampeter, Llanybydder, Felinfach and Llangeithio.

Mr Sargeant said: “Bwcabus is a pioneering demand responsive service that is transforming transport in rural West Wales.”

“Bwcabus is playing a crucial role in helping people to access key services, travel to work and take up training and other educational opportunities – which is very welcome in these tough economic times.

“Our ability to innovate in the provision of local bus services has already been recognised across the UK and I’m delighted to see this innovative service go from strength to strength.”

The Bwcabus service which has provided 40,775 passenger journeys from when it commenced in August 2009 to June of this year, was developed by the Wales Transport Research Centre at the University of Glamorgan.

Professor Stuart Cole of the WTRC suggested that the more people used Bwcabus the better the service would get. “It is revolutionising the way we think about transport in isolated communities.”

Carmarthenshire Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said Bwcabus was making a difference to how people in rural areas lived, worked and played. “It is giving them back their independence and there could be no greater accolade than that.”

He said: “Regular passengers are telling us that their lives have been rejuvenated by Bwcabus.”

Ninety-year-old Amelia Ings, of Llanybydder said: “Bwcabus is brilliant. My husband and I are able to plan what we need to do each week.” And her husband, Richard, said: “It is giving us good reason to live our lives with a sense of purpose.”

Mrs Pat Cash, aged 75, of Cribyn, said: “Bwcabus has provided a lifeline for us following the demise of scheduled bus services.”

Margaret Washer, aged 73, of Rhydlewis, said: “This is a vital service for the elderly without which I would be trapped in my home. I would not have the ability to be able to afford to get out and about without Bwcabus.”

Alfred Broxton, 72, of Bwlchyllan, said: “My wife and I make regular trips to the doctor and opticians and it’s all preplanned on Bwcabus. We tend to make our shopping expeditions more of a social event with other regular passengers on other days. His wife Pat commented: “We would be stranded without Bwcabus. It is a Godsend for us.”

Eleanor Price, aged 72 of Cwrtnewydd, has managed to keep up her part-time work as an Avon rep thanks to Bwcabus trips twice weekly. “Getting out and about keeps me fit and active,” she said.

Margaret Cross of Rhydlewis said: “I don’t think people understand how vital Bwcabus is for some us. Many people like myself would be trapped in their homes. The easy to use service helps me plan all my business and even allows me to venture into Carmarthen with a group of friends. Bwcabus is an absolute joy to me.”

Mary Jennings, of Rhydlewis, agreed with Margaret. “I have made new friends travelling on Bwcabus. I just could not get about without it.”

Monika Bowler, of Bwlchyllan, said: “Bwcabus has given my husband and I back our independence. We do not have to rely on family and friends.” Husband Eric said: “Bwcabus has become something of an adventure we look forward to planning the trip and meeting up with fellow passengers.”

The service is tailored to the needs of the passengers by operating in response to pre-booked journey requests.

Passengers call our bilingual call centre to book a journey from their nearest bus stop to travel to local towns and villages within the Bwcabus zone or to connect with the main line bus services at local hubs to travel further afield, to places like Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.

The project is a partnership between Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire County Councils, Traveline Cymru and the University of Glamorgan with funding from the Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund.

Further information on the Bwcabus service can be accessed on our website: www.bwcabus.info