TrawsCymru Services T4 and T5

[citybus2500]

Announced that Celtic Travel with the help of Williams Coaches, will take over the T4 north of Merthyr from September. Looks like 3 buses worth of work.


Celtic Travel has been awarded a contract by Transport for Wales (TfW) to deliver a revised TrawsCymru T4 service between Merthyr Tydfil and Newtown from 1 September.
The Llanidloes operator will take over the route from Stagecoach South Wales. Currently the service continues from Merthyr to Cardiff, but under the new arrangement that section will instead be served by an X4 that Stagecoach will introduce from the same date and operate every hour Monday to Saturday.
Gaining of the T4 TrawsCymru contract by Celtic Travel marks the growing operator’s debut on that longer-distance network. It currently has a number of bus services across mid-Wales that extend from Carmarthen to Shrewsbury, and a coach operation.
Says Director Phyl Davies: “We are excited to be taking on this new contract and we will be working with our colleagues at Williams Coaches of Brecon to ensure that we deliver an improved level of service and reliability for T4 customers using our many years of experience delivering coach and bus services to the people of Powys.
“It is great to be part of the TrawsCymru network, and with our knowledge of the local road network and an appreciation of the geography of this area, we feel we can bring a great deal to this service.”
Adds TfW Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration Lee Robinson: “We are looking forward to working with Celtic Travel to provide this service. We will be developing the timetable and improving services where we can, including the introduction of new vehicles in March next year.
“This is a fantastic example of how small- and medium-sized operators can work in partnership to bid for tenders and take on new contracts.”

https://www.route-one.net/news/celtic-travel-is-awarded-t4-trawscymru-contract-by-tfw/

 

[stadler]

So are they saying it will be operated by Celtic Travel and Williams Coaches jointly? So some journeys will be Celtic Travel operated and some journeys will be Williams Coaches operated? It is not clear what they mean by working with them?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So are they saying it will be operated by Celtic Travel and Williams Coaches jointly? So some journeys will be Celtic Travel operated and some journeys will be Williams Coaches operated? It is not clear what they mean by working with them?

It could be that Williams Coaches are providing the local base and maintenance? Or perhaps more - operational cover and staffing? Lots of unknowns, I guess, with the fleet.

Certainly, it's a big loss for Stagecoach. Some other observations... how much the X4 has declined now with it getting just an hourly service south of Merthyr, though a reflection of the general decline in bus services in Wales AND the improved rail service. Also, the loss of Sunday services south of Merthyr. I'd expect a reduction in early/late journeys as a number were placement ones introduced when Stagecoach moved the operation from Bishops Meadow to Merthyr depot.

 

[stadler]

Also what will happen with the T14 service? I think that follows the same route as the T4 on the Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil section? Is that likely to also get cut back to only running as a Hereford to Merthyr Tydfil service?

 

[tramboy]

So are they saying it will be operated by Celtic Travel and Williams Coaches jointly? So some journeys will be Celtic Travel operated and some journeys will be Williams Coaches operated? It is not clear what they mean by working with them?

I would imagine the timetable requires buses to be based at "both ends" for it to be efficient, so I would expect at least one working to overnight in the Williams depot at Brecon.

It was always going to be a challenge for Stagecoach to keep when the Brecon outstation closed, as working the service from Merthyr adds a considerable amount of dead running into what is a Powys ended timetable.

 

[Great_Western]

Is there any word as to what will happen with the T14? This is Interworked with the T4 at present and I can't imagine Stagecoach will have much interest in continuing to run that without the T4, it will be even more of an operational headache than it is now.

Likewise the 40A/40B/43/X43 interwork with eachother and if Stagecoach are reducing their presence in Brecon anyway it would seem to make a good opportunity for Stagecoach to not renew the tenders on those too.

On a brighter note, if those MCV Evora's are owned by Stagecoach and not TFW it would be really nice to see those replace the remaining E300 Scanias which have always been pretty unpleasant vehicles and not really suited to distance work despite their seats.

 

[citybus2500]

T5 also awarded

https://news.tfw.wales/news/transpo...es-improvements-for-the-trawscymru-t5-service

03 Jul 2025​

Transport for Wales is delighted to announce that Richards Bros has been awarded the contract to operate the T5 TrawsCymru service, connecting key communities across West Wales.


The new contract will be introduced in two phases, bringing a range of improvements to public transport in the region.

The first phase begins on Sunday, 20 July 2025, with the introduction of a year-round Sunday service on the T5. This will significantly improve weekend travel options for both residents and visitors. In addition, a revised Sunday timetable on the T1 will be introduced, offering greater flexibility and convenience for passengers.

The second phase launches on Sunday, 31 August 2025, and includes several major upgrades:

• Increased frequency on the T5 Monday to Saturday service, moving to an hourly timetable throughout the day.
• Later evening journeys, improving access for those travelling for work, education, or leisure.
• Introduction of new distance-based fares, offering fairer pricing and better value for passengers.
• Launch of a new Aberystwyth–Aberaeron Day Ticket, allowing unlimited travel on both the T1 and T5 services.

Looking ahead, passengers can also look forward to the introduction of brand new, high-quality vehicles on the T5 route from March 2026, further enhancing comfort, accessibility, and environmental performance.

These improvements reflect Transport for Wales’ commitment to delivering a modern, reliable, and accessible bus network that supports sustainable travel and strengthens regional connectivity.

Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales said: "We’re thrilled to be working with Richards Bros to deliver these exciting improvements to the T5 TrawsCymru service. This partnership reflects our commitment to building a modern, reliable, and accessible public transport network that meets the needs of communities across West Wales. The enhancements being introduced will make it easier for people to travel for work, education, and leisure, while also supporting our sustainability goals."

Simon Richards, Director, Richards Bros commented: "We’re proud to have been awarded the contract to operate the T5 service and look forward to working with TfW to deliver a high-quality, dependable service for passengers across West Wales. These improvements, including more frequent journeys and new fare options, will make a real difference to the communities we serve. We’re especially excited about the introduction of new vehicles in 2026, which will offer a more comfortable and environmentally friendly travel experience."

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2025 ==

I would imagine the timetable requires buses to be based at "both ends" for it to be efficient, so I would expect at least one working to overnight in the Williams depot at Brecon.

It was always going to be a challenge for Stagecoach to keep when the Brecon outstation closed, as working the service from Merthyr adds a considerable amount of dead running into what is a Powys ended timetable.

Indeed. Looks like Williams will be a parking base for Celtic and provide support as required.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2025 ==

Is there any word as to what will happen with the T14? This is Interworked with the T4 at present and I can't imagine Stagecoach will have much interest in continuing to run that without the T4, it will be even more of an operational headache than it is now.

Likewise the 40A/40B/43/X43 interwork with eachother and if Stagecoach are reducing their presence in Brecon anyway it would seem to make a good opportunity for Stagecoach to not renew the tenders on those too.

On a brighter note, if those MCV Evora's are owned by Stagecoach and not TFW it would be really nice to see those replace the remaining E300 Scanias which have always been pretty unpleasant vehicles and not really suited to distance work despite their seats.

From the Stagecoach website

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-wales/we-are-adjusting-our-timetables

Changes from 1st September 2025​

Merthyr Tydfil​

• Service T4

From the 1st September, we will no longer run service T4 between Newtown and Cardiff.

• Service X4

We will run a new X4 service to maintain the connection between Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff, with buses running up to every 60 minutes, Monday to Saturday. This new service will serve Pontypridd and Treforest Industrial Estate.



Services 40,43, X43 and X44 (formally T14)

• From September 1st, these services will no longer be run by Stagecoach. Please visit Traveline Cymru for more information.

 

[markymark2000]

So are they saying it will be operated by Celtic Travel and Williams Coaches jointly? So some journeys will be Celtic Travel operated and some journeys will be Williams Coaches operated? It is not clear what they mean by working with them?

I don't think anything has been officially announced so I am basing these comments off what I think is happening. I get the feeling it will be similar to Lloyds Coaches and Carmel Travel on the T2. Celtic has the contract, everything will be done on Celtics operators licence. Any issues from passengers will go through Celtic etc etc. Williams will be a base for some of the vehicles overnight and provide drivers to some of the services.

I would imagine the timetable requires buses to be based at "both ends" for it to be efficient, so I would expect at least one working to overnight in the Williams depot at Brecon.

Indeed. The T4 timetable is made up of 3 buses. Celtic may run it differently to how TFW put it out to tender but the service went out as 2 tenders. 1 tender was for 1 bus which was Newtown based (Newtown-Merthyr all day then at 8pm in Brecon, the bus would swap 'through' passengers with a Brecon based bus, then return north. The second contract was then for 3 buses where all duties started/ended in Brecon. 2 of these duties went back and forth all day (again 1 of them around 8pm in Brecon would swap pax with the Newtown bus to stop buses finishing at the wrong end), plus 1 bus which only did/does Brecon - Merthyr all day.

It was always going to be a challenge for Stagecoach to keep when the Brecon outstation closed, as working the service from Merthyr adds a considerable amount of dead running into what is a Powys ended timetable.

Because of how the contract went out, they could have still won the Brecon based work and then ran commercial placement trips to Merthyr.

Is there any word as to what will happen with the T14? This is Interworked with the T4 at present and I can't imagine Stagecoach will have much interest in continuing to run that without the T4, it will be even more of an operational headache than it is now.

T14 is a gonner. Brecon-Merthyr trips replaced by additional T4s, Merthyr to Cardiff replaced by the new Stagecoach commercial X4. Brecon - Hereford will become the X44 service every 2 hours, but at peak times won't run via Kingstone to speed up trips for Hereford College Students. All trips will avoid Dorstone Village. New Summer Sunday service every 2 hours funded by Hay Tourism Group.

Likewise the 40A/40B/43/X43 interwork with eachother and if Stagecoach are reducing their presence in Brecon anyway it would seem to make a good opportunity for Stagecoach to not renew the tenders on those too.

All Powys contracts are going out for tender. Stagecoach have announced they have lost the Brecon local work (as per post 7). Williams of Brecon have put out on Facebook claiming they are after service bus drivers for 'multiple local services' starting in September. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=736975222418257

Other than the T4, the extent of these 'local services' is unknown. Especially given Powys Council in June were putting the proposals to Cabinet (it got approved 25th June) then on Friday 4th July, the "Extraordinary Full Council meeting" had to approve the additional funding to award the contracts. Therefore, I'm unsure how tenders be put out and all the bids come in, before anyone knew if the funding would be approved for the contract awards? Without the additional funding, the network would be significantly different.

 

[citybus2500]

The new X4 is certainly a come down from 6 years ago! The rail service certainly having an impact.

With it only needing 2 and a bit buses (interworking with another servcie in Merthyr?) what is the likely new home for the Evoras?

 

[markymark2000]

The new X4 is certainly a come down from 6 years ago! The rail service certainly having an impact.

With it only needing 2 and a bit buses (interworking with another servcie in Merthyr?) what is the likely new home for the Evoras?

Not just the rail service, but franchising is coming so they don't want to invest and run too much.

There's also the fact that Stagecoach have cause irreversible damage to the bus network during their driver shortages (across South Wales, there were 700 cancellations PER WEEK) and that is still leaving a very sour taste in peoples mouths. Combined with worsening reliability in many cases caused by, to quote drivers 'awful maintenance' (stories of it taking 4 buses for a driver to do half of their duty because of constant breakdowns), and then throw in the ongoing spiral of decline with constant cuts and lengthening journey times due to 20mph limits.

I'm genuinely surprised they are starting the X4, I thought they would have just given up.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The new X4 is certainly a come down from 6 years ago! The rail service certainly having an impact.

With it only needing 2 and a bit buses (interworking with another servcie in Merthyr?) what is the likely new home for the Evoras?

It really is about the rail service. In the X4's heyday, you had an hourly Pacer clattering down the track to Cardiff. In those days, it was easier to justify a 15 min headway. Even since 2019, it's been half hourly.

Now you have a half hourly train and that is going to be 4 trains per hour in early 2026 (at least in theory). Wonder if the Evoras would end up on stuff like the 78. It would be good to see something better on the 172 but we'll see.

I do agree that Stagecoach's investment has been poor in recent years. I think the decline really started in 2014 when the WG cut funding and Stagecoach cut routes and exited various areas. Even then, Stagecoach did try to improve things (though the Gold concept in the Rhondda was a curious experiment) with some developments. However, along came Covid and WG's approach to funding and support has really skewed things.

 

[DaveHarries]

I believe there are further improvements planned for the rail service in the future with a higher frequency than now and that could well see off the X4 altogether when you consider that extra stations around parts of Cardiff may well attract passengers who would otherwise use the bus.

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I believe there are further improvements planned for the rail service in the future with a higher frequency than now and that could well see off the X4 altogether when you consider that extra stations around parts of Cardiff may well attract passengers who would otherwise use the bus.

Dave

As I mentioned above, the Merthyr line is looking to go to 4 trains per hour in early 2026.

 

[TravelDream]

Any bus operator was going to struggle given TFW's intention to operate four services per hour from the the top of each valley to Cardiff (or 12 per hour from Pontypridd).
It is doubtful an express Cardiff service will be able to operate profitably on a commercial basis from Merthyr in those circumstances.

Stagecoach's intention is to run 12 services a day Monday to Saturday only. A significant decrease from the 7 day much more frequently operated service that used to run on this route.

https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Wales/2025/September/Service%20X4.pdf

Of course Merthyr line is unique in that it retains it's Cardiff service on the full route. Aberdare line valley lost its years ago. The Rhondda line area does better, but no bus goes north of Tonypandy and I imagine that route takes a lot of local traffic.

On the T4 route, it's going to be a bit of a downgrade for users to lose single bus service between the Beacons and Cardiff. Does anyone have any info on the ticketing plan?

 

[Smethwickian]

On the T4 route, it's going to be a bit of a downgrade for users to lose single bus service between the Beacons and Cardiff. Does anyone have any info on the ticketing plan?

No, but if there is not going to be a specific through ticket, the SE Wales Network Rider day ticket should cover Brecon to Cardiff. tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/bus/network-rider

 

[TravelDream]

No, but if there is not going to be a specific through ticket, the SE Wales Network Rider day ticket should cover Brecon to Cardiff. tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/bus/network-rider

A downgrade from the Powys ticket which could take you Cardiff to Newtown (and beyond) for £9.

https://traws.cymru/en/powys-rover-ticket

I suppose it had a limited user base though and will affect few.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A downgrade from the Powys ticket which could take you Cardiff to Newtown (and beyond) for £9.

https://traws.cymru/en/powys-rover-ticket

I suppose it had a limited user base though and will affect few.

I tend to agree. You're talking about people travelling from north of Brecon (Builth) to Cardiff or Ponty so probably not that many.

Last time couple of times I travelled on the T4, I was surprised how many through passengers went via Merthyr so that will be a loss.

 

[Brum900]

Good news about the hourly T5, puts an end to the frustration of hanging around for the 13:10 after arriving on the 11:22 train.

 

[AdamWW]

No, but if there is not going to be a specific through ticket, the SE Wales Network Rider day ticket should cover Brecon to Cardiff. tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/bus/network-rider

It would if the new operator was a member of the scheme.

I did contact TfW after the press release which attempted to pretend that this was good news rather than something of a disaster for any passengers travelling south of Merthyr.

It appears that there is no intention to offer through tickets, but they are hoping that by the time the new service starts that Network Riders will be avalable. Though I think for some people it will be considerably more expensive than the Stagecoach day ticket as there is no group ticket, just a family one.

I would have thought that given that a change in Merthyr will be required it will make more sense than at present to travel by train from Cardiff to Merthyr then change to the bus. In principle I would have thought there could be a combined rail/bus ticket which I believe is offered on some Trawscymru routes.

I believe there are further improvements planned for the rail service in the future with a higher frequency than now and that could well see off the X4 altogether when you consider that extra stations around parts of Cardiff may well attract passengers who would otherwise use the bus.

And the problem with losing the X4 is that the rail services are rather unreliable and it no longer seems possible to acquire replacement buses with less than a day's notice.

 

[markymark2000]

It would if the new operator was a member of the scheme.

To be fair, the new operator hasn't had any services worth being part of the scheme, just the once per week shopper trips. Given Network Rider now seems to be a TFW product, and given the new T4 contract will be managed by TFW, logically this will be something that TFW look at. The invitation to tender, does state where applicable, the multi operator tickets will be accepted and issued.

 

[AdamWW]

To be fair, the new operator hasn't had any services worth being part of the scheme, just the once per week shopper trips. Given Network Rider now seems to be a TFW product, and given the new T4 contract will be managed by TFW, logically this will be something that TFW look at. The invitation to tender, does state where applicable, the multi operator tickets will be accepted and issued.

I wasn't criticising the operator.

But it nevertheless is the case as I understand it from TfW that while they are indeed looking at this there is no guarantee of acceptance being in place in time for the services to start.

I certainly am criticising TfW for their press release failing to mention any of the negative aspects of the change.

I really wish that the reality of using public transport in Wales matched the positive spin endlessly put out by TfW's PR department.

 

[Smethwickian]

It would if the new operator was a member of the scheme.
.

On the TfW website it says the Network Rider is valid on the TrawsCymru T4 between Brecon and Cardiff. It makes no mention of operator so I did assume as it will still be TrawsCymru T4 after September it should still be valid. It did not occur to me to think otherwise.
I guess intending passengers will need to double check this nearer the date of the change.

 

[Peakrider]

On the TfW website it says the Network Rider is valid on the TrawsCymru T4 between Brecon and Cardiff. It makes no mention of operator so I did assume as it will still be TrawsCymru T4 after September it should still be valid. It did not occur to me to think otherwise.
I guess intending passengers will need to double check this nearer the date of the change.

Not sure if this is a different ticket but the Powys site says
“Network Rider (South Wales) Stagecoach tickets cannot be used on Powys services.” ….or if Powys CC is just confused? Is the Network Rider ticket a cross operator ticket?

 

[markymark2000]

Not sure if this is a different ticket but the Powys site says
“Network Rider (South Wales) Stagecoach tickets cannot be used on Powys services.” ….or if Powys CC is just confused? Is the Network Rider ticket a cross operator ticket?

Network Rider is a multi operator ticket and with how it was promoted and relaunched in Feb 2025, I believe it's now administered by TFW.

What is even more interesting is that TFW specifically state that the Network Rider is valid on Williams Coaches but all of Williams tenders are Powys tenders... (https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/bus/network-rider).

I hope that Powys haven't fudged up travel in South Wales by banning Network Riders. on their network.

 

[Peakrider]

Network Rider is a multi operator ticket and with how it was promoted and relaunched in Feb 2025, I believe it's now administered by TFW.

What is even more interesting is that TFW specifically state that the Network Rider is valid on Williams Coaches but all of Williams tenders are Powys tenders... (https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/bus/network-rider).

I hope that Powys haven't fudged up travel in South Wales by banning Network Riders. on their network.

Thank you Mark. I thought it was cross operator. So it does sound as if they are confused at Powys as it’s not specifically a Stagecoach ticket.

I wouldn’t be surprised that they’ve fudged up travel, they IMHO have certainly ruined the TC network by scrapping the T4,T12 & T14. Particularly as the T12 is now split into two routes and no longer reaches Wrexham.

Would you believe that Powys have spent over £1.3million on the redesign of their network. That doesn’t even include any subsidies.

 

[markymark2000]

I wouldn’t be surprised that they’ve fudged up travel, they IMHO have certainly ruined the TC network by scrapping the T4,T12 & T14. Particularly as the T12 is now split into two routes and no longer reaches Wrexham.

While not a defender of the overall revamp (my comments are noted on the Powys Changes thread), to shed some light on the situation.
Happy to be corrected but to my knowledge, it was never tendered as the full T4 and T14 services and was always separate contracts and partially commercial services which Stagecoach merged for operational convenience (or at least passenger convenience). The T4 (north of Merthyr) then moved from a Powys contract to a TFW contract (and so awarded in line with their criteria). Merthyr - Cardiff couldn't really be tendered by any authority as it duplicates over too many other buses and TFW wouldn't tend to fund it as they want people to make multi modal journeys so would prefer people get the bus to Merthyr and then train to Cardiff. In any case, Merthyr-Cardiff was commercial so not part of the contract. Nothing stops Williams and Celtic extending the T4 south to Cardiff though commercially if they wish.

T14 Brecon - Hereford, as I say, I believe was always a separate contract anyway and tagged on for operational/passenger convenience. It's a shame the through link is lost but in reality, the numbers of through passengers were low on the T14 in my experience, and the network is still based on having those connections but god help how the connections will work in practice as buses are unlikely to wait for each other in times of disruption.



T12 Wrexham - Mach was a 'TrawsCymru Connect' and never really fully embraced as a TrawsCymru route. Use of TrawsCymru buses was never strictly enforced and it was never lived up to the higher quality that is demanded of full TrawsCymru routes (Ie T1, T2, T3). It largely existed just to link up a few tenders and offer longer journeys. It's was an operational pain to run as well with the route length and so much better that it's split. It's worth remembering too that the T12 wasn't fully a through route anyway since March 2025 with Lloyds focussing on Mach-Newtown (now X85) and Tanat focussing on the other sections. It was just never formally split with different route numbers (as it should have been). Newtown - Wrexham I agree is a mess but with some kind of understandable arguments.

 

[AdamWW]

TFW wouldn't tend to fund it as they want people to make multi modal journeys so would prefer people get the bus to Merthyr and then train to Cardiff.

In that case it might be nice if they offered through tickets, since there is something of financial penalty for making multi mode journeys at present.