T4 from Cardiff to Newtown

[Old Shire]

Hi all,
I'm looking to travel on this route in January. Will do the return trip over 2 days during daylight. How good is the scenery? Is a person able to withstand the journey time? (comfort on the bus/breaks etc).Is a Powys day rover valid on each journey?. l last saw the Brecon Beacons about 40 years ago whilst walking them for my duke of Edinburgh Award,which was a walk of about 80 miles. So l think l have answered one of my own questions

 

[extendedpaul]

The Powys day rover is valid on the entire T4 route although it costs less than some single journeys. Stagecoach South Wales confirmed that for me last year. The service is currently operating in two parts splitting at Merthyr Tydfil while there are major roadworks there but I think that will be over by the new year

I'd say that the very best scenery is between Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon but there's some great views further north too.

The trip from Brecon to Abergavenny on the 43/X43 is also very scenic in places and is also part of the Powys day rover network. If you do that journey aim for the 43 in at least one direction as the X43 misses some of the best views.

I've never done the whole route in one journey but there are toilets at Brecon and the bus usually has a few minutes there.

I complained about the driver when I travelled on a T4 last summer. I took a flask of cold water and when I poured some into a small cup the driver called back to me that eating and drinking was not allowed on the bus. There is indeed a sign to that effect but it is totally unreasonable on a journey of up to four hours especially on a hot day. Stagecoach's reply avoided the main point but I did receive an apology of sorts. Megabus allows non-alcoholic drinks and cold food but in theory standard Stagecoach buses don't.

 

[quarella]

I complained about the driver when I travelled on a T4 last summer. I took a flask of cold water and when I poured some into a small cup the driver called back to me that eating and drinking was not allowed on the bus. There is indeed a sign to that effect but it is totally unreasonable on a journey of up to four hours especially on a hot day. Stagecoach's reply avoided the main point but I did receive an apology of sorts. Megabus allows non-alcoholic drinks and cold food but in theory standard Stagecoach buses don't.

I am disappointed that you received any sort of apology from Stagecoach when one of their drivers implemented company policy which you say is advertised on the bus. Looking at the timetable there appears to be dwell time at Merthyr (15 mins), Brecon(05mins), Llandrindod (05 mins) with approximately an hours travelling time between them. Megabus operate predominantly on motorways with few stops therefore the risk of spillage is limited. I feel it is perfectly understandable not to allow eating and drinking on a bus service.

 

[extendedpaul]

I've made many journeys on the T4 and I've never known a driver even mention the toilets at Brecon let alone the opportunity to leave the bus for a drink or snack. There isn't usually any dwell time at Merthyr, only now while there are roadworks there are they splitting the journey with the 15 minute gap. Usually buses arrive there a few minutes late and leave immediately.

Every subsequent time I've seen somebody eat or drink on the T4 or any stagecoach bus I've waited for the driver to admonish them but it's never happened again even with chips and cans of beer !

But yes rules are rules and I thoroughly deserved to be told off for daring to break them:roll:

 

[Greenback]

I don't think you can complain if the published rules are being enforced, even if from your perspective it's a very rare occurrence.

 

[quarella]

I think there is a problem with bus drivers and other public facing roles in that they do not feel supported by management in such situations as they are more likely to be called in to explain why they gave "Poor customer service" along with the "avoid conflict" briefing why bother...unless one of the other passengers was the elf and safety manager at stagecoach and if he hadn't said anything he would have been hauled over the coals for that.

 

[extendedpaul]

I've just looked at the e mail I sent and I was wrong to say I complained about the driver as I actually complained about the policy so my apology for that.

I was told it was under review and my comment would be noted. The conditions of travel on the main stagecoach bus website currently state "Refrain from eating and drinking items which make the environment unpleasant for other customers...refrain from consuming alcohol" which is perfectly reasonable and I think different to what was there at the time.

Maybe just maybe my comment was really taken on board !

 

[Greenback]

No problem complaining about the policy, but I'm sure a fair few complain about tis enforcement as well.

I agree with quarella that management should back up the front line staff when they try to enforce policies that management have come up with.

 

[quarella]

No problem with complaining about the policy though a lot of people seem unable to tell that their food/drink/behaviour is unpleasant for others.

 

[Bwsbro]

Being a quite regular traveler on the Traws T4 Service from Newtown to Cardiff i regularly have snacks and drinks whilst traveling and the drivers have never commented that im not permitted.

Regarding Toilets, if truth be told I've never had to use the toilet whilst traveling, although i know of passengers using the toilets at Brecon. And always purchase a Powys Day Rover for £8.00 as a Single between Newtown and Cardiff costs £13.00

 

[extendedpaul]

The T4 timetable allows travellers from Cardiff to spend up to 5 hours in Newtown but from Newtown you can only have a couple of hours in Cardiff if you want to get back the same day.

I assume it's because of where the buses are based but I'd have thought it a mismatch with the day trip market.

 

[Old Shire]

Thanks to you all. The information you have given will help me greatly.