Free buses return for summer weekends in Swansea

Swansea’s popular free bus travel scheme is back for the summer holidays, giving residents and visitors the chance to explore the city without spending a penny on fares.

Running every Saturday and Sunday from 19 July to 31 August, the initiative covers all service buses operating within the Swansea Council area, as long as journeys start and end locally and begin before 7pm.

Now in its fifth year, the scheme has supported more than one million journeys since its launch in 2021, helping families visit beaches, shops, parks and local attractions while saving on travel costs.

“The free ride Swansea offer has been a huge success,” said Council Leader Rob Stewart. “Just one journey for a family of four is helping them to save around £20 each time. This is hugely important for families that are dealing with the continued rise in the cost of living.”

The initiative is part of the council’s wider #HereForYouThisSummer campaign, which also includes funding for free and low-cost activities, holiday meals for pupils, and support for community events.

One service expected to be especially popular is the Sunday bus between Swansea city centre and Rhossili, operated by Adventure Travel, which returns this summer as part of the free travel offer.

“School summer holidays can be an expensive time for families,” said Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure. “Our free bus initiative gives everyone the chance to travel around our wonderful city and ensures they can save their hard-earned money for the wide variety of attractions on offer.”

The offer applies to services run by First Cymru, Adventure Travel, South Wales Transport and DANSA, but excludes long-distance coach services and park-and-ride routes. No proof of residency is required, and passengers simply need to board and state their destination if asked.

For full details, including route maps and FAQs, visit swansea.gov.uk/freebuses.

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City centre activities and events aim to cut risk of anti-social behaviour

A varied programme of events designed to engage young people and reduce anti-social behaviour in Swansea’s city centre will run throughout the school summer holidays.

Drop-in rugby sessions, social gatherings, barbecues, a police community day and an inter-generational music festival in St David’s Square are among the activities planned. The programme expands on last year’s City Chill initiative, which contributed to a significant drop in anti-social behaviour across the city centre and marina area during the summer break.

A key part of this year’s programme is the continuation of Tackle After Dark, a weekly evening session run by Ospreys in the Community, in partnership with South Wales Police and Swansea Council. Held at the Collaboration Station in the former Cranes Music store, the initiative has attracted around 30 young people each week since April.

Inspector Andrew Hedley said the programme is already making a difference. “We are pleased to support the ongoing partnership initiative with Swansea Council and Ospreys in the Community and have already seen the benefits of increased interaction between officers and those in attendance,” he said. “This is just one example of the significant engagement work ongoing over the summer which aims to provide young people with a safe environment and positive things to do, to reduce the chances of anti-social behaviour being committed.”

Councillor Hayley Gwilliam, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Support, said the Collaboration Station will be a hub of activity this summer. “Some people are often too quick to criticise young people today but they have come up with some great ideas and have shown energy and positivity as we have worked with partners to plan a summer of activities,” she said. “The offering at the Collaboration Station is in addition to hundreds of free and low cost activities for young people and families funded by the council across all areas of Swansea as part of our #HereForYouThisSummer campaign”.

Tom Sloane, head of community foundation at Ospreys in the Community, said the initiative is helping to build trust and promote respect. “Through initiatives like Tackle After Dark, we’re not only creating a safe and welcoming space for young people to connect and grow, but also showing how sport can play a powerful role in building trust, breaking down barriers, and promoting respect,” he said. “The engagement and enthusiasm we’ve seen week after week proves there’s a real appetite for opportunities that are inclusive, supportive, and community-driven.”

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£400k funding boost brings free activities and meals to Swansea families this summer

The funding will help deliver hundreds of free and low-cost activities, from bushcraft and judo to arts, drama and community fun days — while also providing over 50,000 meals to school-aged children who need them.

The support forms part of Swansea Council’s #HereForYouThisSummer campaign, which also includes the return of free weekend bus travel from 19 July to 31 August, saving a family of four up to £20 a day.

Activities for all ages

The programme is designed to offer something for everyone. For children and young people, there will be opportunities to try rock climbing, surfing, cycling, cricket, play sessions and creative workshops. For older residents, the funding will support social and wellbeing activities to help reduce isolation and encourage community connection.

Successful applicants include community centres, primary schools, leisure providers, friends of parks groups, and grassroots organisations working across Swansea’s neighbourhoods.

Tackling food insecurity

The council’s Holiday Food Grant will ensure that children who might otherwise go hungry during the holidays receive nutritious meals. Cabinet Member for Wellbeing Cllr Alyson Anthony said:

“The school summer holidays should be an opportunity for all young people to relax and enjoy, but sadly for some families it can also be a time when their budgets are more stretched than ever.

“This year we are able to support more than 50 groups with funding so that they are able to provide food for those that need it — so there is one less thing for them to worry about.”

The food support builds on last year’s success, when more than 50,000 meals were provided to pupils during the summer break.

Building on last year’s success

The council says it was “really impressed” by the quality of applications received this year. Cabinet Member for Community Support Cllr Hayley Gwilliam added:

“Last summer more than 47,000 people took part in free or low-cost activities and we know how much this was valued.

“Along with partners we are proud to again be providing grants to some wonderful groups, charities and leisure providers to provide as many opportunities as possible to young people, families and older people.”

“In some instances where applications did not fully meet criteria, we are directing groups to other potential sources of funding they may be able to access.”

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Who’s funding the support?

The Holiday Food Grant and free bus travel are funded directly by Swansea Council, while the COAST activities programme is supported by a partnership between the council, the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Welsh Government.

The full programme of activities and events will run throughout the summer holidays, with details available via the council’s website and social media channels.

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Council announces return of free buses and Summer activities fund

Swansea Council say there will be hundreds of free and low cost activities and events for families and older people across the city this summer, while it is also putting in place support to help to provide meals for school aged children that need it during the school holidays.

Free buses will also be returning on regular days in the school break as part of a package worth more than £500,000 to help residents make the most of the holidays under the council’s #HereForYouThisSummer campaign.

Groups, organisations and clubs can now apply to Swansea Council for funding to stage activities and events while those that work with young people are being encouraged to apply for grants so they can make food available. Funding applications are open until Sunday 15 June.

Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: “Once again we are making a significant investment in supporting residents to make the most of the summer holidays.

“We know that school holidays can be an expensive time of year for hard pressed families so we will be working with some fantastic groups and organisations to ensure there are free or low cost activities as well as funding to provide meals for pupils who need it while the schools are on a break.

“Since we became the first council in Wales to make free buses available during the summer, Christmas and Easter school holidays there‘ve been more than one million journeys saving a family of four around £20 to enjoy a day out, so I’m proud that we are also running this scheme once again.”

Swansea Council is funding the Holiday Food Grant and free buses while the council, UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government are all contributing towards the COAST activities funding.

The council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, said: “Last summer more than 50,000 meals were provided to pupils while on school holiday and it made a real difference ensuring children did not go hungry. This is why we are funding this initiative once again.”

Cabinet Member for Community Support, Hayley Gwilliam, added: “Thanks to funding via COAST last summer we were able to support 164 projects to stage 2,387 different sessions that were attended by more than 47,000 participants.

“I’m delighted there is funding again this year for free or low cost activities for young and older people and these will range from sports, arts and drama to activity clubs and family fun days that bring communities together.”

#CllrAlysonAnthony #CllrHayleyGwilliam #CllrRobStewart #freeBus #HereForYouThisSummer #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil