SWANSEA: Free buses return for Easter holidays to help families save cash

The free travel initiative starts on Saturday, March 28, and will be available to everyone using buses within the city on selected dates.

The council says the offer is designed to help families make the most of what the city has to offer, from trips to the city centre to days out in Mumbles and Gower.

Swansea Council Leader, Rob Stewart, said the scheme aims to help residents at what can be an expensive time of year.

“Easter can be an expensive time for everyone but we’re committed to ensuring families in Swansea can save a bit of money on travel costs,” Cllr Stewart said.

He added that families could save up to £20 a time, and urged people to “leave the car at home and save their petrol money to spend on other things.”

Since the free bus scheme was first launched, the council says residents and visitors have enjoyed more than one million free journeys.

The council has also confirmed it has set aside £450,000 in this year’s budget to ensure the free bus offer can continue for the summer and Christmas school holidays as well.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said a key aim was to encourage more people to use public transport.

“We know lots of people travel by car and may not have been on a bus previously,” Cllr Stevens explained.

“This free bus offer is a great way of introducing more people to public transport and reduce the number of cars on our roads.”

He added that it was important to support public transport operators in Swansea and increase passenger numbers.

The free bus travel will be available on the following eight days:

• Saturday 28th March 2026
• Sunday 29th March 2026
• Friday 3rd April 2026 (Good Friday)
• Saturday 4th April 2026 (Easter Saturday)
• Sunday 5th April 2026 (Easter Sunday)
• Monday 6th April 2026 (Easter Monday)
• Saturday 11th April 2026
• Sunday 12th April 2026

BBC News: Adult care leavers given free bus travel by Hertfordshire council - BBC News
BBC News - Adult care leavers given free bus travel by Hertfordshire council - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c33jr4p461yo

Good on Herts for doing this.

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New free ‘Shopper Hopper’ shuttle bus launches in Swansea city centre

Shopper Hopper to run weekdays between rail station, market and bus station

Swansea Council says the new “Shopper Hopper” will operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm, offering a continuous loop between High Street railway station, Whitewalls (Swansea Market), and Wellington Street outside the bus station.

The 15-seat minibus is wheelchair accessible and includes space for shopping trolleys and mobility equipment. No booking or timetable is required — passengers can simply wait at designated stops and hop on when the bus arrives.

Council says service will support footfall and accessibility

Council leader Rob Stewart said the service was designed to make city centre travel easier:

“The Shopper Hopper is a simple idea that’ll make it easier than ever to get around the city centre, connecting shoppers and visitors to the shops, cafés and businesses they want to visit.

We know that lots of people come to the city centre using the main bus station and the railway station. Some of those visiting may have mobility issues or need a little extra help to get around.

Now we’ve just opened Y Storfa, the hopper will be yet another option to choose that’ll help visitors to get to the new central library and all the other services on offer there.”

Cabinet member Andrew Stevens said the initiative makes better use of the council’s existing minibus fleet:

“We already have a fleet of minibuses that provide essential transport services, providing transport to day care centres as well as schools and colleges.

The aim of this new free service is to make better use of these vehicles and put them to good use — and hopefully encourage more people to come into the city centre.

We know that lots of people come to the city centre using the main bus station and the railway station. Some of those visiting may have mobility issues or need a little extra help to get around, so the Shopper Hopper is designed with them in mind.”

Route and timings

The Shopper Hopper completes a full loop every 45 minutes, with key pick-up times including:

• 9:00am from High Street railway station
• 10:45am and 2:45pm from Wellington Street (bus station)
• 4:15pm from Whitewalls (Swansea Market), terminating at the railway station by 4:30pm

Stops are located at:

• High Street Station (Railway Station)
• Whitewalls (City Centre / Swansea Market)
• Wellington Street (Outside the Bus Station)

The Shopper Hopper is separate from Swansea Council’s seasonal free bus initiative, which offers free travel across selected city routes on weekends in the run-up to Christmas. That scheme, designed to support festive shopping and events, runs alongside the council’s wider efforts to boost city centre footfall during the holiday period.

Service details and contact

The service is currently free of charge and will run year-round. Swansea Council says demand will be monitored and additional buses may be added if needed.

For more information, passengers can call 01792 522980 or visit the council’s website: swansea.gov.uk/shopperhopper

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#featured #freeBus #FreeCouncilMinibus #publicTransport #ShopperHopper #Swansea #SwanseaBusStation #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaMarket #SwanseaRailwayStation #SwanseaTrainStation #WellingtonStreet #YStorfa

Free buses return to Swansea for Christmas

Free rides across the city

Swansea Council has confirmed that journeys starting and finishing within the city will be free on selected dates throughout December.

The scheme covers the weekends before Christmas, plus extra days right up to New Year’s Eve.

Free Bus Travel Dates

• December 6 and 7
• December 13 and 14
• December 20 and 21
• December 22, 23 and Christmas Eve
• December 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31

Journeys must start and finish within Swansea to qualify for free travel.

“Here for you this winter”

Council Leader Rob Stewart said the initiative was designed to ease the burden on families at a costly time of year.

“Christmas can be an expensive time of year and we’re hoping everyone will take advantage of this great offer,” he said.

Cllr Stewart added:

“This is the fifth Christmas period that we have provided free transport for families in Swansea. We’re the only council in Wales that offers this kind of free bus service and I’m proud that once again this winter Swansea will be doing all it can to support our residents as part of our #HereForYouThisWinter campaign.”

Since the scheme began, more than a million free journeys have been taken, with families saving an estimated £20 per trip.

Swansea at Christmas

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Thousands turned out for Swansea’s annual festive parade and lights switch‑on.

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Boost for businesses and families

The council leader said the offer was not just about encouraging shoppers into the city centre.

“This is also about giving the public the chance to travel all across Swansea, whether it’s to visit family members or just enjoy what Swansea has to offer.”

Encouraging greener travel

Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Andrew Stevens said the scheme also aims to get more people onto public transport.

“One of the main aims has been to encourage more people to use public transport in Swansea,” he explained.

“We know lots of people travel by car and may not have been on a bus previously. This free bus offer is a great way of introducing more people to public transport and reduce the number of cars on our roads.”

Cllr Stevens added:

“It’s important we support public transport operators in Swansea and do what we can to increase passenger numbers.”

Fifth year of festive travel

This is the fifth year Swansea Council has offered free festive bus travel, making it the only authority in Wales to run such a scheme.

With strike action by First Cymru staff now called off, the council says it hopes residents will seize the chance to save money, support local businesses, and cut congestion on the roads.

First Cymru Strike Coverage

Bus strike called off
Industrial action by First Cymru drivers suspended, paving the way for festive free travel.

Strike dates announced
Drivers had planned walkouts across South West Wales, sparking travel disruption fears.

Strike enters second week
Passengers faced cancellations and delays as industrial action continued.

#adventureTravel #christmas #cllrRobStewart #firstCymru #freeBus #hereforyouthiswinter #southWalesTransport #swansea #swanseaCouncil

Free bus travel returns for Swansea’s Christmas Parade weekend after strike suspension

The council says its popular free bus initiative — which it claims has already clocked up more than a million journeys in recent years — will run on Saturday 22 November and Sunday 23 November, helping tens of thousands of people get to the parade more easily.

Strike suspension clears way for festive travel

The Unite union confirmed on Tuesday that strike action at First Cymru had been put on hold following an improved pay offer to drivers. Swansea Council has said this decision means services will run as normal this weekend, allowing the authority to reinstate its free bus scheme in time for the parade.

Council Leader Rob Stewart described the development as “great news”:

“This year’s parade promises to be the best ever and I want to thank everyone involved for getting the show on the road. It is great news that buses will be running this Sunday after all, following news that the First Cymru bus services industrial action has been put on hold. It means that we can offer free bus rides at the weekend. It’s a brilliant early festive present for local families on what will be a great curtain‑raiser to the Christmas season in the city centre.”

How the free travel works

According to the council, the offer applies only to journeys that start and finish within Swansea. Free travel will be available until 7pm on Saturday and until 9pm on Sunday, giving families extra time to get home after the parade.

Parade details and parking

The council has confirmed the parade begins at 5pm on Sunday, starting from the Guildhall for the first time in several years. Santa will light up the building in red and green before setting off, with fireworks marking the start of the procession.

Officials say two extra car parks — at the Civic Centre and the Recreation Ground — will be open on Sunday to accommodate visitors, each charging £5 per vehicle. Drivers coming from the west are advised by the council to use these sites, while those arriving from the east can use the usual city centre car parks.

The Fabian Way Park and Ride will not operate this year, but East Burrows car park and the wider city centre network remain available.

The parade will culminate with another fireworks display and the Christmas lights switch‑on at the tree near the Dragon Hotel.

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