October 07, 2026 - 216 views
A new direct coach service linking North Wales with South-West Wales is now available to book, with Transport for Wales saying the service could cut journey times and reduce the number of changes for passengers travelling across the country.
TaithCymru will launch on Sunday, October 25, with coaches running between Bangor and Carmarthen, calling at a number of communities across North, Mid and West Wales.
The service will be operated by Edwards Coaches in partnership with Llew Jones on behalf of Transport for Wales.
There will be nine return journeys each day between Bangor and Carmarthen, with one late-night service extending beyond Bangor to Holyhead railway station and the port.
The route will call at Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth Bus Station and Aberaeron, before continuing to Carmarthen.
TfW says journeys between Bangor and Carmarthen will take between four hours 45 minutes and five hours, potentially saving up to an hour compared with existing public transport options.
The service is intended to provide a direct cross-Wales link for people travelling for work, education, healthcare, leisure and to visit family and friends.
Timetables have been designed around existing rail services, TrawsCymru routes and local bus services, with the aim of making it easier for passengers to connect with other public transport.
There are also promotional fares available until January 2027, designed to encourage people to try the new service.
An adult single from Bangor to Aberystwyth will cost £7, while Bangor to Carmarthen will cost £10. A single journey from Holyhead to Bangor will cost £4, while Holyhead to Carmarthen will cost £12.50 during the promotional period.
Transport for Wales says standard fares will be introduced after the promotional period.
Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales, said TaithCymru would provide a new direct way to travel across Wales, with quicker journey times and fewer changes.
The coaches will have Wi-Fi, USB charging, air conditioning, onboard toilets and dedicated luggage space, and will be wheelchair accessible.
However, TfW says not every stop is fully wheelchair accessible. Aberaeron is among the stops where accessibility is limited, while the onboard toilets are not wheelchair accessible.
Passengers with accessibility or assistance requirements are strongly encouraged to contact the TaithCymru customer support team at least 36 hours before travelling so that suitable arrangements can be discussed.
Recognised assistance dogs and accredited assistance animals can travel free of charge.
The service is a pre-booked long-distance coach service with its own fares and ticketing arrangements, meaning concessionary bus passes are not currently accepted.
Bookings opened at 10am on Tuesday, October 6, and are available on a rolling 14-day basis. Passengers can book up to 15 minutes before departure, subject to availability, but tickets cannot be purchased from the driver.
The launch will create a new public transport connection along a route stretching from Gwynedd through Mid Wales and into Carmarthenshire, with the potential to make cross-Wales journeys considerably more straightforward for passengers who would otherwise need to change services.
The late-night extension to Holyhead also provides a direct link between the north-western end of Anglesey and destinations along the route towards South-West Wales.
Tickets, fares and the latest timetable information are available from Transport for Wales' TaithCymru page, or through the TaithCymru customer support team on 03333 211 202.
