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Bus fares to rise across South West Wales as First Cymru confirms new price increases

The changes take effect from Sunday, March 29, affecting services across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff, while Pembrokeshire will continue to operate under a separate fare structure.

Under the new prices, a single ticket bought from the driver will rise from £3.00 to £3.10, while a return will increase from £5.70 to £5.90. Day tickets will climb from £7.00 to £7.30, with weekly passes rising from £25.00 to £26.30 and monthly tickets increasing from £80 to £84.

First Cymru says the changes are part of a regular fare review aimed at balancing rising operating costs while continuing to invest in services.

Passengers using the company’s Tap On, Tap Off system will also see small changes depending on how far they travel. The distance-based system was introduced in 2024 when the operator rolled out new Tap On, Tap Off payment technology across its network as part of a wider overhaul of fares and ticketing.

That shake-up also triggered criticism at the time after some ticket prices jumped sharply. Early changes to the pricing structure saw the cost of some day tickets rise by more than 40%, prompting complaints from passengers when bus users hit back at the price rises.

Under the Tap On, Tap Off system, fares vary depending on the distance travelled, with longer journeys capped. From March 29 that cap will remain £3.10 for a single journey and £5.90 for a return.

Pembrokeshire services follow a slightly different mileage-based structure, with lower starting fares for very short journeys but increases still being applied across most distance bands.

Despite the changes for adult passengers, fares for children and young people using the My Travel Pass scheme will remain unchanged. Single journeys will continue to cost £1, returns £2, and day tickets £3.

Main First Cymru fares (from 29 March 2026)

Ticket TypeCurrent PricePrice from 29 MarchSingle (on-board)£3.00£3.10Return (on-board)£5.70£5.90Day Ticket£7.00£7.303 Day£17.50£18.205 Day£22.80£23.703 in 7£17.50£18.205 in 7£22.80£23.7020 in 40£80.00£84.005 in 30£28.00£29.20Week£25.00£26.30Month£80.00£84.00Group£17.50£18.20

Tap On, Tap Off adult fares (distance-based)

DistanceCurrent SingleNew SingleCurrent ReturnNew Return0–1 miles£1.60£1.70£3.04£3.231–2 miles£1.90£2.00£3.61£3.802–3 miles£2.20£2.30£4.18£4.373–4 miles£2.50£2.60£4.75£4.944–5 miles£2.80£2.90£5.32£5.51Over 5 miles£3.00£3.10£5.70£5.90

Tap On, Tap Off fare caps

TicketCurrent PricePrice from 29 MarchDaily cap£7.00£7.302 Day£14.00£14.503 Day£17.50£18.204 Day£21.00£21.805 Day£22.80£23.706 Day£24.40£25.307 Day£25.00£26.30

Pembrokeshire Tap On, Tap Off fares (from 29 March)

DistanceCurrent SingleNew SingleCurrent ReturnNew Return0–1 miles£1.20£1.30£2.28£2.471–2 miles£1.50£1.60£2.85£3.042–3 miles£1.80£1.90£3.42£3.613–4 miles£2.00£2.10£3.80£3.994–5 miles£2.10£2.20£3.99£4.185–6 miles£2.50£2.60£4.75£4.946–7 miles£2.60£2.70£4.94£5.137–8 miles£2.90£3.00£5.51£5.708+ miles£3.00£3.10£5.70£5.89

Children and My Travel Pass fares (unchanged)

TicketPriceSingle£1Return£2Day£3

The latest fare review comes after a turbulent period for the bus operator. In late 2025, drivers and engineering staff staged a series of walkouts as pay talks broke down, causing disruption across the region before unions eventually secured a new deal that was hailed as a major pay win for First Cymru drivers.

The agreement delivered a 5% increase backdated to April, along with staged rises that will see drivers’ pay reach £15 an hour by 2027.

First Cymru says passengers can still ensure they are charged the cheapest available fare by using Tap On, Tap Off when boarding and leaving the bus.

The new fares will apply across the operator’s network from March 29.

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Bus strikes across South West Wales come to an end after deal agreed

The company announced this week that a revised pay offer has been accepted by staff, lifting the threat of further walkouts and restoring certainty for passengers.

Agreement brings relief after months of disruption

Industrial action by Unite members had caused widespread disruption to services in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Llanelli and beyond, with strikes stretching into the autumn and winter.

Several rounds of negotiations saw offers rejected, strikes postponed, and services repeatedly thrown into doubt. At one stage, Unite confirmed action would continue into January, escalating concerns for commuters and local councils.

The breakthrough came after First Cymru tabled an improved offer, which has now been accepted.

First Cymru statement

Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First Bus Cymru, said:

“We are pleased that the revised offer has been accepted by colleagues and that the threat of further strike action has been lifted. This agreement provides certainty for our teams and our customers, and enables us to move forward together.

“Our priority now is to restore confidence and deliver the reliable, consistent services that our communities depend on every day. We want to thank our customers for their patience during this period of uncertainty, and we look forward to welcoming back anyone who may have been affected by the recent disruption.”

Looking ahead

The end of the strikes will be welcomed by thousands of passengers who rely on First Cymru buses daily for work, school and essential travel. Local leaders, including Neath Port Talbot Council, had previously voiced concern about the impact of prolonged disruption on communities and businesses.

With the agreement now in place, attention turns to rebuilding trust and ensuring services run smoothly through the busy winter period.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Unite confirms suspension of First Cymru bus strike after improved pay offer
Early breakthrough as improved pay terms paused action and offered hope of a resolution.

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Local leadership welcomed a pause, highlighting the impact on commuters and essential travel.

First Cymru bus strikes set to continue into January as dispute escalates
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First Cymru bus strikes confirmed as workers reject latest pay offer
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