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Free bus rides return for Easter as Swansea families urged to “leave the car at home”

Council leader Rob Stewart confirmed the scheme will run across eight days during the school holidays, starting from March 28.

The move follows previous schemes that have already seen more than one million free journeys taken in Swansea.

£450,000 set aside

The council has earmarked £450,000 from this year’s budget to fund not just the Easter offer – but free buses again in the summer and Christmas holidays too.

That means families could continue to benefit from the scheme throughout the year.

Save up to £20 a trip

Rob Stewart said the initiative is designed to ease the pressure on household budgets during what can be an expensive time.

He said families could save up to £20 per trip, encouraging people to ditch the car and spend that money elsewhere instead.

Cllr Stewart said: “Since we launched the offer people have enjoyed more than 1m free bus rides.

“Easter can be an expensive time for everyone but we’re committed to ensuring families in Swansea can save a bit of money on travel costs, leave the car at home and save their petrol money to spend on other things, saving up to £20 a time for family of four.

“The city centre is a great shopping destination in itself for people wanting to take a free trip. But it is also about giving the public the chance to travel all across Swansea, whether it’s to visit family members or just enjoy to what Swansea has to offer.”

Cutting traffic and boosting buses

Cabinet member Andrew Stevens said the scheme also aims to get more people onto public transport.

He added that many residents still rely on cars – and the free travel offer is a chance to get them trying buses for the first time, while also helping reduce congestion on local roads.

“It’s important we support public transport operators in Swansea and do what we can to increase passenger numbers.” Cllr Stevens said.

When are buses free?

Free travel will be available on:

• Saturday 28 March
• Sunday 29 March
• Friday 3 April (Good Friday)
• Saturday 4 April
• Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday)
• Monday 6 April (Easter Monday)
• Saturday 11 April
• Sunday 12 April 

Back again after popular demand

The Easter scheme builds on previous free bus initiatives covered by Swansea Bay News, which proved hugely popular with residents looking to cut costs and explore the city without worrying about fares.

With another school holiday around the corner, council bosses are now hoping even more people will jump on board.

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SWANSEA: Free buses return for Easter holidays to help families save cash

The free travel initiative starts on Saturday, March 28, and will be available to everyone using buses within the city on selected dates.

The council says the offer is designed to help families make the most of what the city has to offer, from trips to the city centre to days out in Mumbles and Gower.

Swansea Council Leader, Rob Stewart, said the scheme aims to help residents at what can be an expensive time of year.

“Easter can be an expensive time for everyone but we’re committed to ensuring families in Swansea can save a bit of money on travel costs,” Cllr Stewart said.

He added that families could save up to £20 a time, and urged people to “leave the car at home and save their petrol money to spend on other things.”

Since the free bus scheme was first launched, the council says residents and visitors have enjoyed more than one million free journeys.

The council has also confirmed it has set aside £450,000 in this year’s budget to ensure the free bus offer can continue for the summer and Christmas school holidays as well.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said a key aim was to encourage more people to use public transport.

“We know lots of people travel by car and may not have been on a bus previously,” Cllr Stevens explained.

“This free bus offer is a great way of introducing more people to public transport and reduce the number of cars on our roads.”

He added that it was important to support public transport operators in Swansea and increase passenger numbers.

The free bus travel will be available on the following eight days:

• Saturday 28th March 2026
• Sunday 29th March 2026
• Friday 3rd April 2026 (Good Friday)
• Saturday 4th April 2026 (Easter Saturday)
• Sunday 5th April 2026 (Easter Sunday)
• Monday 6th April 2026 (Easter Monday)
• Saturday 11th April 2026
• Sunday 12th April 2026

New free ‘Shopper Hopper’ shuttle bus launches in Swansea city centre

Shopper Hopper to run weekdays between rail station, market and bus station

Swansea Council says the new “Shopper Hopper” will operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm, offering a continuous loop between High Street railway station, Whitewalls (Swansea Market), and Wellington Street outside the bus station.

The 15-seat minibus is wheelchair accessible and includes space for shopping trolleys and mobility equipment. No booking or timetable is required — passengers can simply wait at designated stops and hop on when the bus arrives.

Council says service will support footfall and accessibility

Council leader Rob Stewart said the service was designed to make city centre travel easier:

“The Shopper Hopper is a simple idea that’ll make it easier than ever to get around the city centre, connecting shoppers and visitors to the shops, cafés and businesses they want to visit.

We know that lots of people come to the city centre using the main bus station and the railway station. Some of those visiting may have mobility issues or need a little extra help to get around.

Now we’ve just opened Y Storfa, the hopper will be yet another option to choose that’ll help visitors to get to the new central library and all the other services on offer there.”

Cabinet member Andrew Stevens said the initiative makes better use of the council’s existing minibus fleet:

“We already have a fleet of minibuses that provide essential transport services, providing transport to day care centres as well as schools and colleges.

The aim of this new free service is to make better use of these vehicles and put them to good use — and hopefully encourage more people to come into the city centre.

We know that lots of people come to the city centre using the main bus station and the railway station. Some of those visiting may have mobility issues or need a little extra help to get around, so the Shopper Hopper is designed with them in mind.”

Route and timings

The Shopper Hopper completes a full loop every 45 minutes, with key pick-up times including:

• 9:00am from High Street railway station
• 10:45am and 2:45pm from Wellington Street (bus station)
• 4:15pm from Whitewalls (Swansea Market), terminating at the railway station by 4:30pm

Stops are located at:

• High Street Station (Railway Station)
• Whitewalls (City Centre / Swansea Market)
• Wellington Street (Outside the Bus Station)

The Shopper Hopper is separate from Swansea Council’s seasonal free bus initiative, which offers free travel across selected city routes on weekends in the run-up to Christmas. That scheme, designed to support festive shopping and events, runs alongside the council’s wider efforts to boost city centre footfall during the holiday period.

Service details and contact

The service is currently free of charge and will run year-round. Swansea Council says demand will be monitored and additional buses may be added if needed.

For more information, passengers can call 01792 522980 or visit the council’s website: swansea.gov.uk/shopperhopper

Related Christmas Coverage

Swansea’s Christmas Parade lights up the city
Fireworks, floats and community spirit — the parade dazzled and has now earned national recognition.

Together at Christmas returns to Brangwyn Hall
Free meals, entertainment and support services offered at this community event on 9 December.

Free bus travel returns for Christmas Parade weekend
Council confirms free buses and extra parking after strike suspension, alongside festive fireworks.

Victorian Fayre and Winter Wonderland kick off festive season
Swansea’s Christmas starts with a Victorian Fayre, Winter Wonderland and Santa switching on the lights.

Free buses return to Swansea for Christmas
Shoppers and families can travel across the city at no cost on selected dates this December.

#featured #freeBus #FreeCouncilMinibus #publicTransport #ShopperHopper #Swansea #SwanseaBusStation #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaMarket #SwanseaRailwayStation #SwanseaTrainStation #WellingtonStreet #YStorfa

Free bus travel returns for Swansea’s Christmas Parade weekend after strike suspension

The council says its popular free bus initiative — which it claims has already clocked up more than a million journeys in recent years — will run on Saturday 22 November and Sunday 23 November, helping tens of thousands of people get to the parade more easily.

Strike suspension clears way for festive travel

The Unite union confirmed on Tuesday that strike action at First Cymru had been put on hold following an improved pay offer to drivers. Swansea Council has said this decision means services will run as normal this weekend, allowing the authority to reinstate its free bus scheme in time for the parade.

Council Leader Rob Stewart described the development as “great news”:

“This year’s parade promises to be the best ever and I want to thank everyone involved for getting the show on the road. It is great news that buses will be running this Sunday after all, following news that the First Cymru bus services industrial action has been put on hold. It means that we can offer free bus rides at the weekend. It’s a brilliant early festive present for local families on what will be a great curtain‑raiser to the Christmas season in the city centre.”

How the free travel works

According to the council, the offer applies only to journeys that start and finish within Swansea. Free travel will be available until 7pm on Saturday and until 9pm on Sunday, giving families extra time to get home after the parade.

Parade details and parking

The council has confirmed the parade begins at 5pm on Sunday, starting from the Guildhall for the first time in several years. Santa will light up the building in red and green before setting off, with fireworks marking the start of the procession.

Officials say two extra car parks — at the Civic Centre and the Recreation Ground — will be open on Sunday to accommodate visitors, each charging £5 per vehicle. Drivers coming from the west are advised by the council to use these sites, while those arriving from the east can use the usual city centre car parks.

The Fabian Way Park and Ride will not operate this year, but East Burrows car park and the wider city centre network remain available.

The parade will culminate with another fireworks display and the Christmas lights switch‑on at the tree near the Dragon Hotel.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swans legends and city dignitaries mark opening of The Swansea Jack sports bar
Former players and civic leaders joined the launch of Swansea City AFC’s official sports bar.

Swansea’s Christmas Parade shortlisted for national award
The city’s festive parade has been recognised nationally for its impact and popularity.

Swansea city centre to kick‑start festive season with Victorian Fayre, Winter Wonderland and Christmas Parade
A packed programme of festive events is set to bring thousands into the city centre.

New route announced for Swansea Christmas Parade
Organisers confirm the parade will start at the Guildhall this year before heading into the city centre.

#christmas #christmasBuses #christmasParade #festiveFireworks #firstCymruStrikeSuspension #freeBus #freeBusTravelSwansea #guildhallSwansea #robStewart #swansea #swanseaChristmasParade #swanseaChristmasParade2025 #swanseaCityCentreChristmas #swanseaCouncil #swanseaVictorianChristmasFayre #victorianChristmasFayreSwansea

Free Bus: Free bus will be implemented on ghat roads as well – CM Chandrababu
https://vaartha.com/free-bus-will-be-implemented-on-ghat-roads-too-cm-chandrababu/andhra-pradesh/532311/
#FreeBus #GhatRoads #ChandrababuNaidu #AndhraPradesh #PublicTransport #FreeBusService #CMChandrababu #TransportNews #RoadSafety #GhatRoadTravel #GovernmentScheme #PublicWelfare #AndhraPradeshNews #BusServiceUpdate #FreeTransport #TravelSafety #RuralTransport #CommunityService #StateGovernment #InfrastructureDevelopment

Free Bus: Free bus for women from tomorrow: State Transport Minister Ramprasad Reddy
https://vaartha.com/free-bus-for-women-state-transport-minister-ramprasad-reddy/andhra-pradesh/530042/
#FreeBus #WomenTravel #RamprasadReddy #APTransport #AndhraPradesh #TransportMinister #FreeBusForWomen #PublicTransport #WomenEmpowerment #TeluguNews #RTCAndhra #BreakingNews #2025Initiative #APGovernment

We are happy to let you know that the (free!) electric bus has been repaired and is now again transporting people from Pollokshaws West train station and around the park!

#pollokpark #freebus

The MySchoolBus@Wilayah programme has been redesigned

The programme under Ministry of Federal Territories is to offer #freebus services to #schoolchildren for families residing in low-cost housing in #KualaLumpur

This is in response to findings that underscore the critical impact of economic hardship on educational access

It will enable more than 10,000 #children to travel to #school at no cost

Read more: https://www.redbus.my/news/myschoolbuswilayah-program-to-offer-free-bus-rides-for-children-in-kl/

#free #bus #buses #beese #FederalTerritories #FederalTerritory

The MySchoolBus@Wilayah programme has been redesigned

The programme under Ministry of Federal Territories is to offer #freebus services to #schoolchildren for families residing in low-cost housing in #KualaLumpur

This is in response to findings that underscore the critical impact of economic hardship on educational access

It will enable more than 10,000 #children to travel to #school at no cost

Read more: https://www.redbus.my/news/myschoolbuswilayah-program-to-offer-free-bus-rides-for-children-in-kl/

#free #bus #buses #beese #FederalTerritories #FederalTerritory

The MySchoolBus@Wilayah programme has been redesigned

The programme under Ministry of Federal Territories is to offer #freebus services to #schoolchildren for families residing in low-cost housing in #KualaLumpur

This is in response to findings that underscore the critical impact of economic hardship on educational access

It will enable more than 10,000 #children to travel to #school at no cost

Read more: https://www.redbus.my/news/myschoolbuswilayah-program-to-offer-free-bus-rides-for-children-in-kl/

#free #bus #buses #beese #FederalTerritories #FederalTerritory

The MySchoolBus@Wilayah programme has been redesigned

The programme under Ministry of Federal Territories is to offer #freebus services to #schoolchildren for families residing in low-cost housing in #KualaLumpur

This is in response to findings that underscore the critical impact of economic hardship on educational access

It will enable more than 10,000 #children to travel to #school at no cost

Read more: https://www.redbus.my/news/myschoolbuswilayah-program-to-offer-free-bus-rides-for-children-in-kl/

#free #bus #buses #beese #FederalTerritories #FederalTerritory

The #Sarawak government has green-lighted #freebus services in #Miri city

This initiative is set to benefit both residents and tourists by easing traffic congestion and promoting economic growth

It has dual purpose of reducing traffic snarls and supporting the economically disadvantaged

The introduction of new buses is planned to replace the existing 14 outdated ones within the city later this year

Read more: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1027699/free-bus-services-meet-miri-traffic-needs

#bus #buses #beese #traffic #congestion #trafficcongestion

Shoppers heading into Swansea city centre this Christmas can travel on buses for free every Saturday and Sunday during November and December.

Swansea Council has confirmed the ‘Free-Ride Swansea’ public transport offer will be back up and running for the festive period and follows a successful free travel initiative which ran throughout the summer holidays.

https://swanseabaynews.com/2022/11/16/free-bus-travel-returns-to-swansea-for-christmas/ #Swansea #FreeBus #Bus #PublicTransport