Thousands of families have taken the chance to enjoy free bus rides in Swansea this long summer holiday.
The pioneering initiative has been a summer smash hit, enabling people to take a trip to the beach, for some city centre shopping or a day out with friends.
And with heaps of things to do this bank holiday weekend, there’s one last opportunity to take your pick and make the most of it by going for free by bus.
The free bus weekend begins on Friday and ends on Bank Holiday Monday and council leader Rob Stewart said: “Despite the weather letting us down from time to time it’s been a brilliant summer for families looking for inexpensive or free ways to enjoy themselves.
“The feedback we’ve had this summer suggests the free offer has been more successful than ever and that’s great to see.
“We pioneered this initiative to support families and businesses as we emerged from the pandemic. But it has come into its own during the cost-of-living crisis to help so many people make ends meet.
“It’s also helped give a lift to businesses in the city centre and at our coastal destinations.”
Council figures show that in its launch summer in 2021 almost 214,000 people took advantage of the offer between July and August. That figure rose to more than 222,000 in the same period the following summer.
Since then the initiative has become a feature of a number of school holidays, supporting families on day outs, tourism and hospitality businesses.
Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the free bus initiative is an incentive to people to leave their cars at home and use public transport more often.
He said: “It’s good news for the environment, helping to reduce pollution and congestion and will encourage people to use public transport even when the free offer is not on.”
