Bridgend to Aberystwyth: Alternative Routings

[Sun!]

I catch the train from Bridgend to Aberystwyth sometimes.

I was hoping to be able to go to Cardiff then to Birmingham then to Aberystywth, with XC and ATW.

Problem is that no booking website I have looked at allows this. They all say no routeing available. The only route that I can find is the usual via Shrewsbury.
Booking to Birningham then Aberystwyth is far to expensive. Is there anyway to buy this routeing?

Thanks.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Only valid via Hereford and Shrewsbury if I am reading the routeing guide correctly.

 

[globetrotter]

Travel from Bridgend to Aberystwyth is only allowed via map BD, i.e. Hereford and Shewsbury.

This allows travel via Cardiff but not via Birmingham and break of journey is permitted on a 1 month off peak return, so I suggest a side trip.

If you only need to visit Birmingham for several hours, it might be appropriate to break your outward journey or return journey at Shrewsbury and from there take a day return to Birmingham costing £12.50 (takes about one hour).

However if you visited Birmingham on the return journey you could buy for example a 1 month off peak return Shrewsbury - Birmingham at £14.40, return to Shrewsbury after your visit and complete the rest of your journey using the return half of your ticket from Aberystwyth. You must travel via Shrewsbury in each direction, you cannot take a direct train between Bridgend and Birmingham.

Validity codes DJ and DL - watch out for afternoon / early evening restrictions from Birmingham on this and the 1 month return (no travel between 16:35 and 18:00).

This would seem to be the most economical way of organising such a trip.

 

[yorkie]

Bridgend is a Routeing Point. The appropriate routeing point for Aberystwyth is Machynlleth Group.

Valid Routes from Bridgend [BGN] to Aberystwyth [AYW]:

1. Direct trains are valid (if any ever do run Bridgend to Aberystwyth - not likely to happen any time soon!)
   
2. Shortest Route is always valid, and is likely to be 207.75 miles as follows:-
   
   • Bridgend
   • Cardiff Central
   • Newport (South Wales)
   • Cwmbran
   • Pontypool & New Inn
   • Abergavenny
   • Hereford
   • Leominster
   • Ludlow
   • Craven Arms
   • Church Stretton
   • Shrewsbury
   • Welshpool
   • Newtown (Powys)
   • Caersws
   • Machynlleth
   • Dovey Junction
   • Borth
   • Aberystwyth
   
   
3. Mapped Routes:
   Bridgend - MACHYNLLETH GROUP:
   
   • BD

 

[quarella]

I now tend to go for train to Carmarthen and bus from there.

 

[Squaddie]

Yep: train to Carmarthen and then bus saves around an hour on the rail journey via Shrewsbury. If ever there were a line that really should not have been closed in the Beeching cuts, it's the one from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth.

 

[extendedpaul]

There's even a direct Arriva bus from Bridgend Retail Park (Sarn Cinema) to Aberystwyth and back each day. Nice journey and much quicker than by rail.

 

[Sun!]

Thanks for the answers above.

Ive used the bus before and its a nightmare of a journey for those of us with a weak bladder. From McArthurGlen to Carmarthen and then to Aberystwyth it takes around 3.5 hours and it may sound mad but it seems like a lifetime. Also a single on the train works out a bit cheaper with an advanced ticket with rail card than the bus.

 

[Butts]

Yep: train to Carmarthen and then bus saves around an hour on the rail journey via Shrewsbury. If ever there were a line that really should not have been closed in the Beeching cuts, it's the one from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth.

Any hope of it's resurrection ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Thanks for the answers above.

Ive used the bus before and its a nightmare of a journey for those of us with a weak bladder. From McArthurGlen to Carmarthen and then to Aberystwyth it takes around 3.5 hours and it may sound mad but it seems like a lifetime. Also a single on the train works out a bit cheaper with an advanced ticket with rail card than the bus.

Is it a Bus Bus ... or a Coach for that duration - suprised no WC on board

 

[Squaddie]

Any hope of it's resurrection ?

None. Too much of the trackbed has been redeveloped, and covered in superstores, bypasses and industrial units.

 

[Polarbear]

It's a "bus-bus". Specifically an Optaire Tempo which looks like this inside;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tempo_INT.JPG

A bit hard going for a long journey of 3.5 hours, but quite OK from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth. No WC provided either.

 

[Flying Snail]

It's a "bus-bus". Specifically an Optaire Tempo which looks like this inside;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tempo_INT.JPG

A bit hard going for a long journey of 3.5 hours, but quite OK from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth. No WC provided either.

Not the most comfortable of bus for that sort of journey but I read somewhere that the route is due to be upgraded with higher-spec vehicles, not sure if that means more buses or coaches which would be more suited to it IMO.

It must be said that the fares are very cheap on it; £5 day return Aberystwyth-Carmarthen, I presume it is a heavily subsidised service.

 

[Sun!]

A single from Bridgend to Aberystwyth is just over £11 from memory. A period return (Valid for 1 month) is about £18 from memory.
This is the bus from outside- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arriva_Optare_Tempo_2863.jpg
There are two buses a day from Cardiff via Bridgend and a extra bus go's from Swansea. Then its hourly from Carmarthen.
From what I understand the route gets a moderate subsidy for some sections and heavy subsidies for other sections.

From- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12893112
The WAG is going to spend £2.2 million on new buses due for March 2012 for the Trawscambria service, which is being rebranded TrawsCymru.
Some quotes,

The 12 new low floor buses will have low emission engines, coach-style seating and increased luggage space.

In a 2010 consultation, TrawsCambria users said access to toilet facilities, extra leg room and extra luggage space were the most important improvements needed to the service.

Not to sure if they are going to add toilets. Can low floor buses even have them. It doesnt seem like it.

 

[Greenback]

We did have quite a bouncy journey on one of those buses when we went to the Vale of Rheidol Railway for the day. And on a West Wales Rover ticket, which was £5 something each at the time IIRC.

 

[anthony263]

The New vehicles for the Trawscambira services dont seem to be having toilets fitted and again will be low floor vehicles.

Shame they dont buy those wright commuter coaches which are part low floor bus and part coach. They are even extending the 704 Newtown - Llandrindod - Brecon - Merthyr Tydfil service through to Cardiff.

I have a suspiction that they will be similar vehicles to those which stagecoach operate on service X4 Cardiff - Merthyr Tydfil - Abergavenny -Hereford.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
With regards to the X40/X41 Cardiff - Carmarthen - Aberystwyth service, just seen a new copy of the timetable on the traveline cymru site which shows that the service has been cut to run only between Aberystwyth & Carmarthen Railway Station.

 

[Greenback]

Carmarthenshire Counil, who are normally pretty good with bus timetables,are still shoiwng the Feb 2011 timetable.

Traveline Cymru looks a bit of a mess, unfortunately. It doesn't display the so called 'late amendments' very well - it appears to be a late 1970's computer print with some manual crossing out!

The Arriva timetable is also dated Feb, and shows through services to Swansea, Bridgend and Cardiff. There is reference to an earlier timetable adjustment that dd not prove popular, so was reversed!

What is going on?!

 

[Polarbear]

The Arriva website suggests it still runs through to Cardiff & Swansea. The timings were revised back in February 2011 but that's about it.

http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedfiles/Services/Wales/WAABX40_210211_070211.pdf

 

[Greenback]

Yes, the Traveline Cymru info is not clear at all. It's not dated, and the 'amendments' may well be limited to only showing changes to affected calling times between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. It's difficult to be sure, but then I find that the Traveline sites are sometimes wrong.