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Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2026-07-15 · 16:30 UTC

SWANSEA: Free buses return for the summer holidays — running until 11pm for the Airshow’s first night show

Buses across Swansea will be free to ride every weekend of the school summer holidays — starting on Wales Airshow weekend, when the offer runs late into the night for the first time.

Swansea Council‘s free bus scheme returns on July 25, covering all service buses on journeys that start and finish within the council area, across 13 days of the holidays.

Free travel normally ends at 7pm — but on Saturday July 25 it will run until 11pm, so Wales Airshow crowds can stay for the event’s new Afterburn evening programme.

The full list of free travel dates: July 25 and 26; August 1 and 2; August 8 and 9; August 15 and 16; August 22 and 23; and the bank holiday weekend of August 29, 30 and 31.

“A family of four can save around £20”

Council leader Rob Stewart said the aim was to let as many families as possible enjoy the Airshow without worrying about parking, traffic or the cost of getting home.

“The school holidays can be an expensive time, so every saving helps,” he said. “A family of four can save around £20 on a single journey, leaving more money to spend on enjoying the day.”

Rebecca Fogarty, cabinet member for community support, said the offer applied well beyond the Airshow: “Whether you’re heading to the Airshow, the beach, the city centre or visiting family and friends, free bus travel makes it easier and more affordable to get around.”

She advised those travelling on Airshow days to plan ahead and check schedules with bus operators — the council says homeward services on the Saturday evening in particular will be in demand.

Six summers of free rides

The scheme is now in its sixth year, and the council says passengers have made well over a million journeys since it launched in 2021.

This year’s 13 days is slightly down on the 15 days offered last summer — though the scheme has grown in another direction, spreading well beyond the summer holidays.

Free buses ran in the run-up to Christmas — after a suspension of planned strike action by First Cymru drivers nearly derailed the parade-weekend offer. The offer returned again over Easter.

The council also launched the free Shopper Hopper shuttle in December, linking the city’s transport hubs with Swansea Market and the Y Storfa library.

Swansea’s scheme is council-funded and open to everyone — a point of contrast this summer, after the UK Government’s holiday support package included a free bus travel scheme for children that applies only in England.

The council says the offer is designed to cut travel costs for families while encouraging people to spend time — and money — in the city, supporting local businesses and attractions. It sits alongside the near-£700,000 #Hereforyouthissummer fund paying for holiday food and free activities across more than 300 community groups.

The Airshow’s first night flight

The extended Saturday hours are built around a first for the Wales Airshow: evening displays, under the Afterburn banner, with pyrotechnic aircraft performances, a drone display and fireworks over the bay.

The free two-day show on July 25 and 26 has already announced a WWII Fairey Swordfish and a rare Cold War Westland Wasp helicopter among this year’s displays — nearly 40 years of Royal Navy flying history between them.

With big crowds expected along the seafront, the council’s advice is blunt: homeward services on the Saturday evening will be busy, so plan the return leg before setting out.

Full details of the free travel offer are on Swansea Council’s website.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SWANSEA: WWII Swordfish and rare Cold War Navy helicopter to star at Wales Airshow
Two pieces of Royal Navy flying history confirmed for this year’s show.

SWANSEA: Nearly £700,000 for holiday food, activities and older residents
The council’s #Hereforyouthissummer fund reaching more than 300 community groups.

Free bus rides return for Easter as Swansea families urged to “leave the car at home”
The scheme’s Easter outing earlier this year.

New free ‘Shopper Hopper’ shuttle bus launches in Swansea city centre
The year-round free shuttle linking the market, library and transport hubs.

#CllrRobStewart #freeBus #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #WalesAirshow

#cllrrobstewart #freebus #swansea #swanseacouncil #walesairshow

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2026-05-21 · 14:05 UTC

VAT CUT: Theme parks, soft play and children’s meals to get cheaper this summer — but Wales misses out on England’s free bus scheme

The UK Government has announced that VAT on a wide range of family attractions and children’s meals in restaurants will be cut from 20% to 5% for the duration of the school summer holidays — a measure that applies across Wales as well as the rest of the UK.

The temporary reduction runs from 25 June to 1 September 2026 and covers admission tickets for theme parks, soft play centres, zoos, circuses, adventure parks, nature reserves, wildlife parks and amusement parks — as well as children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions.

Children’s meals served from a dedicated children’s menu in restaurants and cafés, for consumption on the premises, will also qualify for the reduced rate.

The scheme, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced to the House of Commons on Thursday, is expected to cost around £300 million and will be funded through reforms to the foreign branches exemption — a tax rule that previously allowed multinational companies to offset overseas losses against their UK tax bill.

In south-west Wales, commercial attractions including Plantasia in Swansea, the LC Swansea waterpark, Vue and ODEON cinemas in Swansea, Carmarthen and Llanelli, Margam Activity Centre’s paid activities and venues including the Grand Theatre Swansea, Gwyn Hall in Neath, Pontardawe Arts Centre and the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot are among those expected to benefit — provided businesses pass the VAT saving on to customers, which the government expects but cannot compel.

There is an important caveat: attractions that do not currently charge VAT on entry — including not-for-profit museums, theatres operating under the cultural exemption, and free-entry venues — are outside the scope of the policy and will not see admission price reductions as a result of the announcement.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said Welsh families would benefit from cheaper tickets for attractions and meals out, alongside the extension of the 5p cut to fuel duty announced on Wednesday.

Alongside the VAT cut, the UK Government announced free bus travel for children aged five to 15 throughout August — but that scheme is limited to England only, as bus services are a devolved matter.

Wales is not without its own equivalent support, however. Swansea Council will also benefit from the council’s own free bus travel scheme, which has already seen more than a million free journeys taken across previous schemes. The council has set aside £450,000 this year to fund free travel across the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays — with the summer dates yet to be confirmed but the commitment already budgeted.

Welsh families also continue to benefit from the Welsh Government’s £1 single fare scheme for young people aged five to 21 on participating bus services across Wales, which pre-dates the UK Government’s summer announcement.

The VAT cut does not apply to season tickets or passes that permit entry beyond the 25 June to 1 September window, unless they are priced the same as a standard single-entry ticket.

Helen Miller, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the measures would produce some savings but estimated they would amount to an average of around £10 per UK household across the summer period.

The hospitality industry broadly welcomed the announcement, with UK Hospitality chair Kate Nicholls calling it a positive step — while suggesting it should be viewed as a starting point for a wider shift to a permanently lower VAT rate for the hospitality sector to bring the UK in line with European competitors.

The VAT cut announcement came as part of a broader package of cost of living measures, including targeted cuts to import tariffs on more than 100 food products including biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts — though the government has acknowledged there is no guarantee supermarkets will pass those savings on to shoppers.

Businesses that fall within the scope of the policy can find guidance on how to operate the scheme on the HMRC website, with the full list of eligible products and activities set out in the government’s published fact sheet.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Free bus rides return for Easter as Swansea families urged to leave the car at home
Swansea Council’s free bus scheme returned over Easter with eight days of no-cost journeys across the city.

£1 bus fares for young people confirmed across Wales — but questions remain over operator sign-up
The Welsh Government’s £1 single fare scheme for under-21s launched on participating routes across Wales.

#costOfLiving #freeBus #JoStevensMP #RachelReevesMP #SwanseaCouncil #VAT #VATChanges #VATCut

#costofliving #freebus #jostevensmp #rachelreevesmp #swanseacouncil #vat

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2026-03-24 · 15:28 UTC

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.

More transport stories from Swansea Bay News

“Five years of promises” – calls to restart St Clears station project
Pressure mounts for action on a long-delayed rail link in Carmarthenshire.

Fuel fears grow as rationing plans emerge
Concerns over supply and rising costs raise questions for drivers and businesses.

Swansea motor giant hits 100
From a single garage to a UK powerhouse – the story behind a major local success.

NCP enters administration putting Swansea car parks at risk
Uncertainty grows over the future of key parking sites across the city.

#CllrRobStewart #Easter #freeBus #publicTransport #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaPublicTransport

#cllrrobstewart #easter #freebus #publictransport #swansea #swanseacouncil

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2026-03-12 · 09:15 UTC

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.”

Two red Swansea‑branded First Cymru buses at Swansea Bus Station — a double‑decker pulling out while a single‑decker waits in the bay.
(Image: First Cymru)

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

#Bus #CllrRobStewart #costOfLiving #Easter #featured #freeBus #freeBusTravelSwansea #freeBuses #publicTransport #RobStewart #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

#bus #cllrrobstewart #costofliving #easter #featured #freebus

Tree Hugger 🌳 🌍 💙 🇬🇧 @[email protected] · 2026-02-27 · 07:06 UTC

BBC News: Adult care leavers given free bus travel by Hertfordshire council - BBC News
BBC News - Adult care leavers given free bus travel by Hertfordshire council - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c33jr4p461yo

Good on Herts for doing this.

#hertfordshire #freeBus

#hertfordshire #freebus

Tree Hugger 🌳 🌍 💙 🇬🇧 @[email protected] · 2026-02-27 · 07:06 UTC

BBC News: Adult care leavers given free bus travel by Hertfordshire council - BBC News
BBC News - Adult care leavers given free bus travel by Hertfordshire council - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c33jr4p461yo

Good on Herts for doing this.

#hertfordshire #freeBus

#freebus #hertfordshire

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2025-12-05 · 09:36 UTC

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

#featured #freebus #freecouncilminibus #publictransport #shopperhopper #swansea

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2025-12-03 · 13:05 UTC

Free buses return to Swansea for Christmas

Free rides across the city

Swansea Council has confirmed that journeys starting and finishing within the city will be free on selected dates throughout December.

The scheme covers the weekends before Christmas, plus extra days right up to New Year’s Eve.

Free Bus Travel Dates

December 6 and 7
December 13 and 14
December 20 and 21
December 22, 23 and Christmas Eve
December 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31

Journeys must start and finish within Swansea to qualify for free travel.

“Here for you this winter”

Council Leader Rob Stewart said the initiative was designed to ease the burden on families at a costly time of year.

“Christmas can be an expensive time of year and we’re hoping everyone will take advantage of this great offer,” he said.

Cllr Stewart added:

“This is the fifth Christmas period that we have provided free transport for families in Swansea. We’re the only council in Wales that offers this kind of free bus service and I’m proud that once again this winter Swansea will be doing all it can to support our residents as part of our #HereForYouThisWinter campaign.”

Since the scheme began, more than a million free journeys have been taken, with families saving an estimated £20 per trip.

Swansea at Christmas

Christmas Parade lights up city
Thousands turned out for Swansea’s annual festive parade and lights switch‑on.

Christmas Market opens
Festive stalls return to the city centre with food, gifts and seasonal cheer.

Winter Wonderland returns
Ice rink, rides and festive fun back at Museum Park for the holiday season.

Boost for businesses and families

The council leader said the offer was not just about encouraging shoppers into the city centre.

“This is also about giving the public the chance to travel all across Swansea, whether it’s to visit family members or just enjoy what Swansea has to offer.”

Encouraging greener travel

Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Andrew Stevens said the scheme also aims to get more people onto public transport.

“One of the main aims has been to encourage more people to use public transport in Swansea,” he explained.

“We know lots of people travel by car and may not have been on a bus previously. This free bus offer is a great way of introducing more people to public transport and reduce the number of cars on our roads.”

Cllr Stevens added:

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

Fifth year of festive travel

This is the fifth year Swansea Council has offered free festive bus travel, making it the only authority in Wales to run such a scheme.

With strike action by First Cymru staff now called off, the council says it hopes residents will seize the chance to save money, support local businesses, and cut congestion on the roads.

First Cymru Strike Coverage

Bus strike called off
Industrial action by First Cymru drivers suspended, paving the way for festive free travel.

Strike dates announced
Drivers had planned walkouts across South West Wales, sparking travel disruption fears.

Strike enters second week
Passengers faced cancellations and delays as industrial action continued.

#adventureTravel #christmas #cllrRobStewart #firstCymru #freeBus #hereforyouthiswinter #southWalesTransport #swansea #swanseaCouncil

#hereforyouthiswinter #adventuretravel #christmas #cllrrobstewart #firstcymru #freebus

Kit Peters @[email protected] · 2025-11-21 · 09:40 UTC

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

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VTC News Bot @[email protected] · 2025-08-29 · 07:06 UTC

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