A new service that will allow people to book a “lifeline” bus service via an app has been launched in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.
Transport for Wales is expanding its ‘fflecsi’ in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council as well as Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion County Councils to enhance the very popular Bwcabus service which celebrates 12 years of operation this autumn.
The Cambrian News reported earlier this year how the service - which services south Ceredigion and areas of Carmarthenshire including Newcastle Emlyn and north Pembrokeshire - had secured a further two years of funding.
And now, the new ‘fflecsi’ Bwcabus will bring additional technology to the service by providing the fflecsi app, enabling passenger to book and track journeys, as well as making phone bookings via the TfW call centre.
The journeys can be booked from up to 28 days in advance right up to an hour before travel.
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said:?“Bwcabus is a well-used and well-loved service for the people of Carmarthenshire and further afield, by supporting the existing service with the fflecsi?app and TfW’s call centre we will aim to attract even more passengers to fflecsi Bwcabus.
“This innovative service is an important part of Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government’s vision to reduce car usage and promote greener forms of travel, while also supporting the local economy and ensuring access to public transport.”
Cllr Hazel Evans, cabinet member for environment, Carmarthenshire County Council said: “We’re delighted to be working with Transport?for?Wales on this new development.
“As we have seen over the last 12 years with Bwcabus, on demand transport has been extremely popular here and we believe this is a great opportunity to improve the public transport offer across the region and provide our residents with bus services that give more choice and flexibility on their journeys.
“I’m sure fflecsi Bwcabus will continue to be popular with passengers and we are delighted to be working with our partners to provide public transport services fit for today and the future.”
Cllr Dafydd Edwards, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, housing and customer contact at Ceredigion County Council added: “It is an exciting new enhancement to bus services in our region, giving passengers more ways to book and more control over how they get around by providing them with access to reliable and flexible travel options.”
Cllr Phil Baker, cabinet member for infrastructure for Pembrokeshire County Council added: “The TfW fflecsi service?has demonstrated how?demand responsive transport can play a vital part in transforming public transport in other parts of Pembrokeshire already, and we are delighted to be playing a part in delivering this innovative new service?enhancement and learning from the customer and operational feedback provided by the new technology.”
The fflecsi Bwcabus service will be operating across the existing routes in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.
The scheme has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities fund.