Newtown (Powys)–Cardiff Central via ... Aberystwyth?

[Hassocks5489]

Hi all. I have just had sight of a ticket issued for this journey - i.e. the route field shows "Valid only via Aberystwyth". brfares.com has it as well: https://www.brfares.com/!faredetail?orig=NWT&dest=CDF&rte=649&tkt=SVR. It is cheaper than the Any Permitted fare via Shrewsbury. I can only presume that it is valid on the bus from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen, and thence by rail via Swansea etc. Is this right; and are there other journeys in Wales which include bus legs and have a dedicated routeing for this purpose? Cheers!

 

[SargeNpton]

The bus service between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen is treated as an extension of the TfW Rail network for through ticketing purposes. So your options are...

a) Newtown-Aberystwyth-Carmarthen-Cardiff (using the bus link)

b) Newtown-Shrewsbury-Cardiff

The fares are not interoperable, hence the "via" routing.

There will be other Mid-Wales to/from South Wales journeys that can be done this way.

 

[MrJeeves]

The fares are not interoperable, hence the "via" routing.

Except the fact that as the Any Permitted/"." routeing costs more than the "Via Aberystwyth" routed fare, it's also valid via Aberystwyth.

 

[SargeNpton]

Except the fact that as the Any Permitted/"." routeing costs more than the "Via Aberystwyth" routed fare, it's also valid via Aberystwyth.

That will be something for the fares setter to sort out.

 

[Haywain]

Except the fact that as the Any Permitted/"." routeing costs more than the "Via Aberystwyth" routed fare, it's also valid via Aberystwyth.

Whether you'll get that argument past the bus driver is another matter.

 

[yorkie]

It would be better to pay for the lower priced fare, and obtain an excess for the relevant portion, if wanting to travel via the more expensive route.

But yes the higher priced fare should be deemed valid though you could potentially obtain a zero fare excess to smooth things over with the bus driver, but good luck getting anyone to issue a zero fare excess these days, as many staff won't do it.

 

[Haywain]

The Routeing Guide has an easement referring to the TransCymru bus, which states that tickets routed Any Permitted (00000 and 01000) may not use the bus between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen.

Easement 700959: Customers travelling with tickets priced on routes (00000) ANY PERMITTED, (00200) VIA LONDON, (00312) VIA MANCHESTER, (00320) VIA SHREWSBURY, (00492) AP TFW LM & CONNS ONLY, (00439) XC & CONNECTIONS, (00452) AWC & CONNECTIONS, (00498) AP TFW ONLY, (00645) VIA CARDIFF, (00817) VIA BRISTOL, (01000) route dot ANY PERMITTED, may not use the TransCymru bus services that operate between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions

 

[Hassocks5489]

Many thanks to all for your input!

 

[Envoy]

I take it that you are aware of the Trans Cymru T4 service between Newtown & Cardiff?

T4 - Newtown - Cardiff

Timetable for T4 - Newtown - Cardiff

traws.cymru

 

[Hassocks5489]

I take it that you are aware of the Trans Cymru T4 service between Newtown & Cardiff?

T4 - Newtown - Cardiff

Timetable for T4 - Newtown - Cardiff

traws.cymru

I wasn't; I am unfamiliar with the Welsh transport scene and have not been for some 20 years. The existence of a direct bus makes it even more surprising that such a convoluted rail/bus journey should be available! (As an aside, that looks like quite a pleasant, scenic route.)

 

[mangyiscute]

I wasn't; I am unfamiliar with the Welsh transport scene and have not been for some 20 years. The existence of a direct bus makes it even more surprising that such a convoluted rail/bus journey should be available! (As an aside, that looks like quite a pleasant, scenic route.)

I haven't done the whole thing but the section through the Brecon Beacons is absolutely stunning, a must do for sure. It also stops at the base of Pen-y-Fan, which is the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons, but not too challenging starting from this bus stop (although it is known to get really busy on bank holiday weekends etc if the weather is good)

 

[Envoy]

I have driven the route of the T4 and it is goes through lovely scenery - except the bit between Cardiff & Merthyr but that is an expressway in anycase. The buses look rather basic for such a long distance journey.