Free bus service starts in Swansea this weekend

Swansea Council is relaunching #freerideswansea for the October half term school holidays and everyone can travel for free anywhere in the city

The money saving initiative, which also aims to get people out of their cars and onto passenger transport, returns for both weekends of half-term, starting on Saturday, October 23, for three consecutive days and again from Friday, October 29 until Sunday 31 October.

Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said feedback on the summer stage of the initiative had been extremely positive and some of the busiest routes operated on Gower saw passenger numbers increase by up to 65%.

Cllr Stewart said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer everyone the chance to travel anywhere in the city for free during the October half-term.

“We launched #FreeRideSwansea to help families and businesses as they emerged from the pandemic. Families told us what a difference it made for them. They were able to enjoy days out without worrying about the cost of travel.

“It also gave a lift to the local economy with people travelling to the city centre and our community attractions and shopping centres.”

Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement and Infrastructure Management, said: “We hope the latest free travel initiative will again encourage people to use public transport more and their cars a little less, helping cut pollution and congestion.

“It was a real lift to see how popular the summer initiative was. Even though we may not have the same glorious sunny weather, there is still plenty for families to do, making the most of the outdoors and also our indoor attractions.

“We’re already looking at how we might be able to bring it back during the Christmas school holidays as well.”

October #freerideswansea requires passengers to start and finish their bus journeys within the council boundaries of Swansea during the six days of the offer and their trip must also starts before 7pm in the evening.