There seems to be a lack of information on the internet regarding details of the planned new TrawsCymru services, specifically their start date, their vehicles and their effects on certain other services. Does anyone know anything?
The offical website says service TC1 (currently the X40) (Aberystwyth – Aberaeron – Lampeter – Carmarthen) will apparently get 6 new buses (or coaches?) as will the TC4 Newtown – Llandrindod Wells – Builth Wells – Brecon – Merthyr Tydfil (Cardiff) route.
Now, unlike the X32 and X94 TrawsCambria routes, these two already have wonderfully modern looking (although not to sufficient interior specifications for such long journeys, the X50 ones are better) Optare Tempos. The first of my questions is, what happens to those Tempos when the new vehicles appear? Personally, I hope they get put onto the X94 or X32 routes or used to expand the TrawsCambria network.
I note that the website does not mention TC1 going to Swansea and Cardiff, suggesting WAG have seen sense (in my opinion) and dropped this part of the service which duplicates the rail network. However a news report from when the new buses were anounced suggests the Aberystwyth - Cardiff journeys will remain. If those journeys do remain, it raises a further concern. Currently, there are 3 X40 journeys beyond Carmarthen, two to Cardiff and one to Swansea. I don't think it is possible for the vehicle used on any of those three trips return trips on a given day to operate any of the others. Since Arriva only have two Aberystwyth - Cardiff branded Tempos (which have leather (or fake leather) seats, power sockets, tables and an extra luggage rack) they therefore have to operate at least one of those three long-distance return trips with a 550 or X40 Aberystwyth - Carmarthen spec. Tempo.
Similarly, if those three services beyond Carmarthen are retained I think it will be impossible to cover all TC1 services with the 6 new vehicles, whatever they may be (here's hopeing they are not true coaches, with seat belts. Preventing passengers from being able to get up and walk to the doors before the bus stops might cause some delays).
As for effects on other services, how many fixed timetable routes will be lost to the expanded Bwcabus?
The offical website says service TC1 (currently the X40) (Aberystwyth – Aberaeron – Lampeter – Carmarthen) will apparently get 6 new buses (or coaches?) as will the TC4 Newtown – Llandrindod Wells – Builth Wells – Brecon – Merthyr Tydfil (Cardiff) route.
Now, unlike the X32 and X94 TrawsCambria routes, these two already have wonderfully modern looking (although not to sufficient interior specifications for such long journeys, the X50 ones are better) Optare Tempos. The first of my questions is, what happens to those Tempos when the new vehicles appear? Personally, I hope they get put onto the X94 or X32 routes or used to expand the TrawsCambria network.
I note that the website does not mention TC1 going to Swansea and Cardiff, suggesting WAG have seen sense (in my opinion) and dropped this part of the service which duplicates the rail network. However a news report from when the new buses were anounced suggests the Aberystwyth - Cardiff journeys will remain. If those journeys do remain, it raises a further concern. Currently, there are 3 X40 journeys beyond Carmarthen, two to Cardiff and one to Swansea. I don't think it is possible for the vehicle used on any of those three trips return trips on a given day to operate any of the others. Since Arriva only have two Aberystwyth - Cardiff branded Tempos (which have leather (or fake leather) seats, power sockets, tables and an extra luggage rack) they therefore have to operate at least one of those three long-distance return trips with a 550 or X40 Aberystwyth - Carmarthen spec. Tempo.
Similarly, if those three services beyond Carmarthen are retained I think it will be impossible to cover all TC1 services with the 6 new vehicles, whatever they may be (here's hopeing they are not true coaches, with seat belts. Preventing passengers from being able to get up and walk to the doors before the bus stops might cause some delays).
As for effects on other services, how many fixed timetable routes will be lost to the expanded Bwcabus?