Road, Rail & Access Issues

[Jerry]

It appears that the Severn Express is under threat and that people are calling for the Welsh government to support it.
So maybe a chance for a bus service from CWL to Newport to Cribbs Causeway via Culverhouse cross?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1262850797890678786

 

[aviatorconcorde]

It appears that the Severn Express is under threat and that people are calling for the Welsh government to support it.
So maybe a chance for a bus service from CWL to Newport to Cribbs Causeway via Culverhouse cross?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1262850797890678786

I think National Express and Megabus both operate Bristol to Newport, with National Express operating to chepstow too.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It appears that the Severn Express is under threat and that people are calling for the Welsh government to support it.
So maybe a chance for a bus service from CWL to Newport to Cribbs Causeway via Culverhouse cross?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1262850797890678786

I think National Express and Megabus both operate Bristol to Newport, with National Express operating to chepstow too.

The Severn Express has been operating for most of this century.

For several years it was operated jointly by First and Stagecoach with buses from both companies operating alternate journeys every hour. In the beginning it was a tortuous journey that operated from Bristol country bus and coach station via Clifton and Westbury-on-Trym to Cribbs Causeway, then on into Chepstow and back out the same way to serve the likes of Magor and Caldicot on its way to Newport.

The operators then saw some sense because there are plenty of buses from central Bristol serving Clifton, W-o-T and Cribbs on various routes, so the Severn Express was given the quicker route to Cribbs from the Bristol bus station via M32, M4 and M5 before carrying on to Chepstow and Newport.

In recent years the route has been speeded up even more with the Chepstow-Newport section operating along the M4. By then the service was operated by First in its entirety. However, last year First decided it was losing too much money so Stagecoach stepped in to take it over.

That surprised me because years before they had opted out of their joint enterprise with First on the route, and if the latter could not make money it would be a big surprise if Stagecoach could. Obviously they have now discovered they could not.

Even odder was Stagcoach's decision to miss out Cribbs altogether with their service operating directly between Bristol and Chepstow to/from Newport.

Whenever I used the bus the busiest section was always between Cribbs and Chepstow with many Chepstow residents using Cribbs to do their shopping - it was just a 25-minute hop.

It would seem that if the service is to be revived it will need some form of subsidy. I don't think that National Express or Megabus (which ironically is owned by Stagecoach) stop at all the bus stops along the way.

 

[Jerry]

I think National Express and Megabus both operate Bristol to Newport, with National Express operating to chepstow too.

Yet local MS and MPs are wrote to the WG

It would seem that if the service is to be revived it will need some form of subsidy. I don't think that National Express or Megabus (which ironically is owned by Stagecoach) stop at all the bus stops along the way.

I didn't realise that it didn't go to Cribbs ccauseway anymore. If it does get subsidised or taken over by WG I wonder if they might put it as part of the Trans Cymru network like the T9 is.
But if it's considered such a vital cross border link maybe they can also look to the UK government to help with funding if there's a mechanism in place for that?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Yet local MS and MPs are wrote to the WG
I didn't realise that it didn't go to Cribbs ccauseway anymore. If it does get subsidised or taken over by WG I wonder if they might put it as part of the Trans Cymru network like the T9 is.
But if it's considered such a vital cross border link maybe they can also look to the UK government to help with funding if there's a mechanism in place for that?

This route allowed holders of English concessionary bus passes ('pensioners' bus passes') to use it between England and Wales, eg Bristol to Chepstow or Bristol to Newport (and in the reverse direction), but not intra-Wales parts of the route, eg Chepstow to Newport. I presume a similar dispensation was given to holders of Welsh bus passes travelling to England. English pensioners' bus passes can only usually be used within England.

My wife and I used the service several times to get to Chepstow which is a delight to wander around, as long as you don't mind steep hills. I liked to explore Newport too.

That might be part of the route's problem - no, not me using the route but the use of pensioners' bus passes. Often the buses seemed to have a large proportion of wrinklies and the bus companies don't receive much per passenger for those journeys. In England it's less than £1 per journey whether the pensioner travels one stop or the entire route. I imagine it's broadly similar in Wales.

 

[Jerry]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1408017315501912064

 

[Jerry]

Could we being seeing a new bus link announced soon from the City centre to the Airport?
In the airports job section they are recruiting for an Onward Transport Support Assistant and part of the job info includes "and assisting with onward transportation to the city center via the airports new service." airports new service, will be interesting too see what new service this is.

 

[Aviador]

Could we being seeing a new bus link announced soon from the City centre to the Airport?
In the airports job section they are recruiting for an Onward Transport Support Assistant and part of the job info includes "and assisting with onward transportation to the city center via the airports new service." airports new service, will be interesting too see what new service this is.

Apart from the positives of this story was it really written in American English?

 

[Jerry]

Apart from the positives of this story was it really written in American English?

Yep it does appear that way. Maybe someone didn't change their settings!

 

[Jerry]

New integrated link to Cardiff International Airport

New integrated link to Cardiff International Airport

A new integrated rail and bus ticket partnership will make getting to Cardiff International Airport by public transport easier. Transport for Wales (TfW) have teamed up with Adventure Travel, who operate the 905 service. Users looking to travel to the airport can now catch a rail service to...

nation.cymru

 

[MrFenner]

Is this service still on an hourly basis?

If so this is not likely to be used in droves, however is a positive step nonetheless.

Can't help but think the return of the T9 would be a better solution, however more than likely not sustainable in the winter months.

 

[Jerry]

Is this service still on an hourly basis?

If so this is not likely to be used in droves, however is a positive step nonetheless.

Can't help but think the return of the T9 would be a better solution, however more than likely not sustainable in the winter months.

I'd be very surprised if we see the T9 return especially with the lack of inbound tourism routes.

 

[Jerry]

With Cardiff one of the host cities for the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament and with the possibility of it hosting 6 games as well as the opening ceremony, could this be a good opportunity to get a direct rail link built to the airport. The lack of one is often mentioned on social media and this tournament could probably be the best chance of getting one.

Euro 2028: Cardiff could host tournament's opening game

UK and Ireland are announced as Euro 2028 hosts, with hopes to stage six games in Cardiff.

www.google.com

 

[geoff]

As Wales is the only part of the UK not to receive and consequential money as the result of HS2 being built, the two million pounds that we are owed would certainly come in handy for that.

 

[Aviador]

As Wales is the only part of the UK not to receive and consequential money as the result of HS2 being built, the two million pounds that we are owed would certainly come in handy for that.

There's been absolutely no guarantee money will be forthcoming in any area following the cancellation of both the Leeds and Manchester legs of HS2. We are potentially just months away from a general election so we can expect all manor of pledges by all the main political parties. It's what they do. Whether or not they deliver any of their pledges is another thing.

 

[Jerry]

As Wales is the only part of the UK not to receive and consequential money as the result of HS2 being built, the two million pounds that we are owed would certainly come in handy for that.

I pretty much confidently say Wales will never get a Barnet consequence from HS2 no matter who's in government but money for such a line doesn't necessarily have to come from that especially as it would be a local project. To be honest i don't see either government adding a rail link at Cardiff but i do think that such an event as the Euros would be a good time to do it especially if the business park goes ahead.

 

[Jerry]

Used the air rail link today for the first time. The train departed Cardiff Central at 1241 and after transferring to the bus that was waiting at Rhoose station I arrived at the airport 45 minutes later. Was able to purchase the journey on one ticket so the journey was seamless also had some good views on the way!
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View media item 19114

 

[Jerry]

No rail link between 29/3/25 & 4/4/25

https://twitter.com/x/status/1906783073032716307

 

[Samdorob]

Thinking about public transport links to the airport, as it currently stands it’s not attractive enough.

There’s a few options in my opinion, some more pie in the sky than others.

Easiest option - run a frequent direct bus from Barry Docks station to the airport. With trains already every 20 minutes to Cardiff and a 10 minute drive from the airport, I don’t think this would be unreasonable to set up. One limitation is that the earliest train on the Vale of Glamorgan line is 5:15 which is no good for 6am departures. An earlier train could be a possibility.

Return of the T9 - unfortunately hugely unpopular with some people and branded the “ghost bus”. Having said that if a direct bus from the city centre did return, the ticket could include vouchers to be used in departures. This could incentivise people to use it. Again this would need to run to meet those 6am departures.

Airport spur - this has been explored in the past, and never really got off the ground. I think the cost and red tape makes this a non starter, although I think it’s the ideal solution.

Light rail - I don’t think this has been explored before. With the introduction of tram trains on the valley lines, perhaps a tram-train solution could work by connecting up to an existing station and running direct to the airport. It’s not too dissimilar to a rail spur, but an I right in saying tram lines are cheaper to build? I’m no engineer, but a tram could run from Rhoose up to the airport.

I’d love to hear people’s thoughts.

 

[geoff]

With the amount of employment having been created between the airport and St Athan, I think the need for the link between the M4 and the A48 should be looked at again. I know that planning was turned down a few years ago, but even more jobs have been created in the area since. In addition better public transport facilities should be made for those travelling from the west of the airport, those who do not wish to drive to the airport depend on the several mini bus providers who provide a service to the airport. I have friends who reside in the Pembrokeshire, and Ceredigion counties who frequently use the airport, who would use a train service if only provided from Swansea to the airport via the Vale of Glamorgan line.