South West Wales is one of the regions of Wales comprising the unitary authorities of Swansea , Neath Port Talbot , Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire .
40-705: First Cymru is an operator of bus services in South West Wales . It is a subsidiary of FirstGroup . With its headquarters previously in Swansea , it is now part of the First Wales and West region which also covers Bristol , Bath and Worcester , with its headquarters in Bristol. With 220 vehicles, it is the second largest bus operator in Wales after Stagecoach South Wales . In 1987, South Wales Transport
80-427: A South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee was formed to allow the four local councils in the region to collaborate in areas relating to economic well-being, strategic planning and the development of regional transport policies. 51°48′N 3°58′W / 51.800°N 3.967°W / 51.800; -3.967 Wright StreetLite DF: 10.2m (33.5 feet), 10.8m (35.4 feet) The Wright StreetLite
120-469: A bespoke depot in Carmarthen . In 2022, First Cymru launched the open-top Tenby Coaster from Tenby to Saundersfoot, which operates from May to September. It is currently operated by converted formed First Bradford and First Eastern Counties Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Geminis . There is also a morning extension from Haverfordwest via Oakwood Theme Park and Carew and an evening return, due to
160-672: A bus sales and rental company. Mistral were the sole selling agents for the StreetLite and pitched the vehicle as 'Wrightbus+Mistral – the perfect equation'. This exclusivity deal ended in 2012 with the introduction of the StreetLite Max. The StreetLite played an integral part in the Torch Relay for the 2012 London Olympic Games . Ten Stagecoach South Wales StreetLites were used to shuttle relay runners and event staff between relay starting points. The buses were decorated in
200-570: A further five at its High Wycombe depot in 2015. The StreetLite EV was launched in 2014. Like the Micro Hybrid, it is available in all of the standard StreetLite lengths and capacities. The StreetLite EV is a battery electric bus with no diesel engine. In January 2014, Arriva Shires & Essex placed eight EVs into service in Milton Keynes receiving coverage on national news services due to their trial of inductive charging ,
240-485: Is a low-floor midibus introduced by Wrightbus in 2010. It was originally available in only one body style (wheel forward) before the door forward and StreetLite Max variants were introduced in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Production of all variants of the StreetLite was briefly suspended due to Wrightbus entering administration in September 2019, with complete removal from the product line in 2024. The StreetLite
280-460: Is available in two differing body styles and five lengths between 8.8 metres and 11.5 metres with seating ranging from 33 to 45 passengers. All variants are of the same width and height, except for the StreetVibe, which is offered as a narrower chassis. Wrightbus claims that in each length, the StreetLite offers more seats than the equivalent competitors. The StreetLite WF (wheel-forward) was
320-553: Is used by a number of government agencies and private organisations including: A different definition is used in the EU Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics , which refers to South West Wales as a subdivision of West Wales and the Valleys comprising Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. The area that is now considered to be South West Wales was established as Deheubarth by Hywel Dda in around
360-920: The FirstGroup , the Go-Ahead Group , Rotala and the Stagecoach Group have all been purchasers. The StreetLite has been operated by Transport for London operators Arriva London , Blue Triangle , First London , London General , Sullivan Buses , Quality Line and Tower Transit . As of May 2020, StreetLite WFs were operating routes 379 and 424 , while Wright DFs were operating routes 219 , 232 , 236 , 299 , 327 , 389 and 399 . Safari buses entered service with Knowsley Safari Park. Padarn Bus took three 9.5 metre StreetLites for services on Anglesey . whilst Maytree Travel obtained six 9.5 metre vehicles. Reading Buses have also taken six 9.5 metre variants. The first large order for 46
400-812: The National Transport Authority ordered a batch of 88 StreetLites, which entered service between 2019 and 2020 on Transport for Ireland contracted bus services. Of these, 40 were allocated to Go-Ahead Ireland in Dublin , while Bus Éireann received 43, with 17 entering service in Waterford , 12 in Dundalk and Drogheda , seven in Athlone , five in Sligo and two in Dublin. City Direct operate
440-543: The Nu-Track Nu-Vibe concept vehicle, was launched in 2015 following Wrightbus' purchase of welfare bus manufacturer Nu-Track . It is a development of its Nu-Vibe concept vehicle, modified to Wrightbus specifications. The StreetVibe is based on the StreetLite WF, measuring 9 metres (30 ft) long. However, the StreetVibe is 290 mm shorter and 167 mm narrower than a standard StreetLite. As such,
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#1732791135253480-600: The TrawsCymru T1 service between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth under contract to the Welsh Government using Yutong electric vehicles leased from them. First Cymru branding was previously used across the network. However, local 'Swansea and the Bay', 'Western Welsh', 'Neath Port Talbot' and 'Bridgend and County' branding began to be applied to services in its sub-areas. All future repaints will now however be in
520-554: The Max (11.5m) variant with 27 others of an unspecified length. In March 2015, Arriva ordered a further 50 StreetLites. The first new StreetLites to enter service in Ireland were delivered to Dublin Bus in 2017, with 2 examples arriving for the 44B route between Glencullen and Dundrum, a route which could not accommodate double decker buses or full length single-deck buses . In 2018,
560-705: The South West Wales area, in and between Haverfordwest , Pembroke , Tenby , Carmarthen , Ammanford , Llanelli , Swansea , Pontardawe , Neath , Port Talbot , Maesteg , Bridgend and Cardiff . Following contract wins in April 2024, their network was expanded in Pembrokeshire and the Vale of Glamorgan , incorporating locations such as Narberth , Whitland , Barry and Cardiff Airport . In addition to internal South Wales work, First Cymru also operate
600-512: The StreetLite Max commenced in 2012. The majority of all StreetLites models produced up until 2018 have been the standard diesel variant, with FirstGroup the largest customer of the type. The StreetLite Micro Hybrid was launched in 2013. It is available in all of the standard StreetLite lengths and capacities. While not a "hybrid" in the usual sense , the StreetLite Micro Hybrid recovers energy lost from braking to power
640-620: The StreetVibe is designed to compete directly with the Optare Solo SR Slimline , another narrow midibus . The first StreetVibe entered service with East Lothian Council in April 2016, the first of eight examples to be delivered to the council. A further two StreetVibes were delivered to Moray Council in June and July 2016. The largest single order for StreetVibes was placed by the government of Guernsey 's buses.gg operation, with 12 initial examples first entering service on
680-696: The Swansea-Cardiff shuttle service became part of the Greyhound UK network and was operated by coaches with leather seats and additional legroom, which could be booked online for the first time. In 2013, the service was extended to Newport , Bristol and Bristol Airport . In March 2015, the Cardiff to Bristol Airport leg of the route was withdrawn and in December 2015 the Greyhound UK brand
720-404: The axle is positioned behind the door and there is an option for dual door configuration for Transport for London specifications. The first example was trialled by First London . The StreetLite Max was launched in 2012. It is 11.5 metres (38 ft) long with capacity for up to 45 passengers seated. In this variant, the axle is positioned behind the door like the "door forward" and also has
760-424: The company's ADL Enviro200 fleet in response to emissions requirements, making StreetLites the bulk of the fleet. In addition, the company has five former First Aberdeen and First West of England Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban training vehicles in yellow branding targeting potential new recruits. [REDACTED] Media related to First Cymru at Wikimedia Commons South West Wales This definition
800-471: The dedicated bus lanes for this scheme have now been removed from Swansea City Centre and the service is now predominantly operated by unbranded double deckers. First Cymru have held the contract for the T1 service between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth since 2014, when Arriva Buses Wales pulled out of Mid Wales. In 2023, First began operating Welsh Government owned Yutong electric vehicles on this service from
840-648: The first buses of their kind to do so in the United Kingdom. Bus Vannin on the Isle of Man were the first company to order the StreetLite, ordering six 9.5m variants and six 10.8m variants. Whilst the 9.5m variants entered service in December 2010, the 10.8m variants, which were due in early 2011, would never be delivered. The first StreetLites to enter service with any operator were four that were delivered to Anglian Bus in October 2010. Since then, Arriva ,
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#1732791135253880-528: The first model to be launched, first going on sale in 2010. It is available in two lengths of 8.8 metres (29 ft) and 9.5 metres (31 ft), with seating for up to 33 and 37 passengers respectively. To save space in these variants, the axle is positioned ahead of the door, similarly to the StreetLite WF's main competitor, the Optare Solo SR . The first example entered service with Anglian Bus in October 2010. The StreetVibe , initially known as
920-903: The front. In 2017, Travel South Yorkshire placed an order for 31 hybrid-electric Wright StreetLite Maxes for Sheffield services 1 and 1a. These were to be the first StreetLite Max models to be fitted with fully hybrid technology. The order was split between two operators – 13 for First South Yorkshire's service 1a, an operator who already operated over 100 diesel StreetLites across the city; and 18 for Stagecoach Sheffield 's service 1, Stagecoach's first StreetLite Maxes delivered nationally. The first four hybrid StreetLite Maxes were delivered to First South Yorkshire on 26 April 2018, with first entry into service taking place on 10 May (First) and 19 May (Stagecoach). The wheel-forward and shorter door-forward StreetLite models are also offered as full hybrids. Arriva Shires & Essex took delivery of 13 hybrid StreetLite WFs for its Luton depot in 2014, followed by
960-674: The island between April and May 2017. A repeat order for 22 more StreetVibes were delivered to the island in autumn 2018. In October 2013, VDL Bus & Coach introduced a rebadged variant of the StreetLite WF, known as the Citea MLE, for the mainland European market. Quick Parking of Haarlem in the Netherlands took delivery of the first production Citea MLE in May 2014. The initial demonstrator vehicle ultimately entered service with Arriva Netherlands in June 2014. Nobina Danmark are
1000-593: The largest operator of the Citea MLE, taking delivery of five examples in December 2014 and a further pair in June 2015. A further two Citea MLEs entered service in Denmark with Keolis Danmark in December 2014. The Door Forward StreetLite variant, also known as the StreetLite DF , was launched in 2011. It is available in two lengths of 10.2 metres (33 ft) and 10.8 metres (35 ft) with seating for up to 37 and 41 passengers respectively. In this variant
1040-743: The location of the depot in Haverfordwest. In May 2021, First Cymru launched two new open top bus routes in Swansea and Porthcawl: A further two open-top coaster services were launched in June 2022: Tenby Coaster is the only remaining open top service. In 2014, First Cymru introduced the Cymru Clipper network of longer distance express routes, spanning from Carmarthen & Ammanford to Cardiff. Services X1, X2, X3, X5, X6, X7, X11 and X13 were encompassed into this network. Dedicated vehicles in blue livery operated these services, with
1080-655: The majority of them offering WiFi and leather seats as standard. As these services became council tenders in 2024, the Cymru Clipper brand was dropped. Services such as the X11 between Carmarthen and Swansea now observe longer routes and can no longer be considered express routes. Blue Clipper vehicles are still found on the network but are allocated sporadically. First Cymru used to have its own coaching division and operated school services, National Express contracts and interurban services. Special services were also operated to Abergavenny market and Oakwood Theme Park and Tenby in
1120-539: The national blue and sliver First Bus livery. First Cymru has provided dedicated services for students of Swansea University for a number of years. The original service, known as 'Bright Orange Bus', linked Hendrefoilan Student Village to Singleton Campus and the City Centre. The service was expanded to the Bay Campus when it opened in 2015 and renamed 'Campus to Campus'. A new route was also introduced between
1160-492: The remaining 5 in Kilkenny . In addition, a handful of StreetLites are also operated by smaller operators, including single vehicles for First Aircoach , Express Bus and Whartons Travel. In January 2017, a StreetLite commenced a trial with Australian operator Torrens Transit . Three StreetLite Maxes entered service with New Zealand operator Leopard Coachlines in 2017. Wrightbus secured an exclusivity deal with Mistral,
1200-474: The road layout around Swansea City Centre was substantially changed to accommodate and prioritise these vehicles. Customer hosts where employed to sell tickets in lieu of the drivers who were in enclosed cabs. On 28 August 2015 the Wright StreetCars were replaced by Wright StreetLite buses and in red metro branding. The customer hosts were scrapped and drivers returned to processing tickets. Much of
1240-565: The same Cummins 4-cylinder 210 horsepower engine and Voith DIWA transmission. A Euro VI-compliant version of Cummins engine and Mercedes-Benz OM934 became available in 2013. The StreetLite Max competes against heavyweight buses such as the Alexander Dennis Enviro300 and Optare Tempo SR as well as other lightweight vehicles such as the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 and Optare Versa . Deliveries of
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1280-413: The standard diesel variants from the presence of an additional grille in the front bumper, which provides cooling to the hybrid battery pack, located over the front axle behind the front door, through cooling channels under the floor in the door area. This grille is not present in the hybrid StreetLite WF, as the hybrid battery pack is located close to the engine at the rear of the bus due to lack of space at
1320-509: The summer. First Cymru operated an hourly shuttle service between Cardiff , Bridgend Designer Outlet and Swansea , which was known as the 'Shuttle100'. From 2010 to 15, this service was part of the Greyhound UK network. Following the demise of Greyhound this service was renumbered X10. The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not since been reinstated, marking the end of First Cymru's coaching operations. In 2010,
1360-464: The term time. First Cymru operates park & ride sites, which are located at Fabian Way and Landore in Swansea . First Cymru operate a bus rapid transport route (Service 4) between Singleton Hospital , Swansea University , Swansea City Centre and Morriston Hospital , which was known as the FTRmetro . Ten Wright StreetCar articulated buses were purchased especially for the services, and
1400-484: The two campuses via Sketty , Uplands and Swansea railway station . The network was redesigned and rebranded 'Unibws' following the closure of Hendrefoilan Student Village in the summer of 2023. Newly numbered services 89-92 link the two campuses with the city centre, Sketty, Uplands and new student accommodation in the Parc Tawe , railway station and Morfa Road areas. Night buses N91 and N92 operate until around 4am in
1440-537: The vehicle electrics and compressed air systems, saving up to 10% in fuel costs. The bus itself runs from a conventional StreetLite drivetrain, as opposed to a small diesel engine and electric motor in normal hybrids. All models of the StreetLite are currently offered as full hybrid-electric vehicles, with the first hybrid StreetLite WF entering service in 2014, followed by the first hybrid StreetLite Maxes which entered service in May 2018 with First South Yorkshire . The hybrid StreetLite Max can be easily distinguished from
1480-491: The year 920. Although not a kingdom per se , it was ruled dynastically and fought over for centuries, until the conquest of Wales by Edward I , completed in 1283, when it was divided into the historic counties that exist today. South West Wales is made up of the four principal areas of Carmarthenshire , Neath Port Talbot , Pembrokeshire and Swansea . The Swansea Bay City Region is a partnership between local authorities, businesses and other organisations. In April 2021,
1520-1152: Was dropped. This was the last Greyhound service to operate in the UK. National Express launched its 216 service between Cardiff and Bristol Airport immediately after the withdrawal of the Greyhound service. Until July 2012, when the contract was lost to Edwards Coaches , First Cymru were a National Express contractor and operated services on routes: As of October 2024, the First Cymru fleet consisted of 220 buses based from depots in Bridgend , Haverfordwest , Port Talbot , Tycroes , Carmarthen and Swansea . Depots were previously located in Llanelli , Pontardawe , Maesteg and Cardiff . The fleet consists of Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 , ADL Enviro200 , Wright StreetLite , Optare Versa and Optare Solo vehicles. In 2024, over 50 Wright StreetLites arrived from First West of England and First Worcester in exchange for much of
1560-469: Was placed by the FirstGroup in April 2011. In February 2013, the FirstGroup ordered 179 new StreetLites, predominantly in the form of the 11.5m Max variant, to work alongside the four prototype vehicles already at the company. In January 2014, a further 301 were ordered, with 274 of them featuring 'Micro Hybrid' technology. In April 2014, Arriva ordered 97 "Micro Hybrid" StreetLites, 70 of which are
1600-513: Was sold during the privatisation of the National Bus Company in a management buy out . In February 1990, along with Brewers Motor Services and United Welsh Coaches, South Wales Transport was sold to Badgerline . All initially retained their trading names but following Badgerline merging with GRT Group in April 1995 to form FirstBus , all Welsh operations were rebranded as First Cymru. The company operates 104 bus services in
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