Transport in Swansea

Swansea’s main mode of local public transport is via buses. The Quadrant bus station in the city centre serves as the main bus transport hub. The local commercial bus companies include FirstCymru. Some rural routes in the local authority area are funded by the council; this includes the majority of the services on Gower, for example, which are operated by Pullman Coaches under the brand name of ‘Gower Explorer’ with its distinctive Ray Stenning-designed livery.

Park and Ride services are operated from secure car parks at Landore and the Fabian Way. During busy periods of the year, additional Park and Ride services are operated from the Brynmill recreation ground. Recently it was announced that a third Park and Ride site is to be established on Carmarthen Road (on the site of the old Mettoys factory) with an expected opening date during 2006.

Numerous taxi firms operate in Swansea ranging from large professional outfits to small and cheap minicab firms. Vehicles include typical 3/4 seat family saloons, 5 seat London cabs and eight-seat mini-buses. For city centre shoppers, the main taxi rank is located next to St. Mary’s church. For transport connections, taxi ranks are located at the Quadrant bus station and the High Street railway station. in addition, small taxi ranks are located at Castle Square and the Kingsway, providing a convenient if expensive way to get home after a good night out on the town.

The Swansea Bay promenade forms a very convenient cycle commuting route, offering spectacular panaromic views of Swansea Bay. The Maritime Quarter and the Knab Rock near the Mumbles Pier form the ends of this route. At the heart of the Clyne Valley Country Park is the Clyne Valley Cycle Track, part of National Cycle Route 4. This track connects Blackpill with Gowerton, cutting through much tranquil woodland. On the east bank of the River Tawe is a cycle track (National Cycle Route 43) and foot path, offering excellent views of the River Tawe and the industrial ruins at Hafod. This route terminates at the Quay Parade road bridge and Pentre-Chwyth traffic junction.

Swansea’s High Street railway station is the terminus of the South Wales Main Line (a branch of the Great Western Main Line.) From here, there are connecting Arriva services on their way to west Wales: Carmarthen, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest. The famous Heart of Wales train service with its distinctive bright orange and yellow carriage, terminates at High Street station. it travels via Gowerton to Llanelli where it joins the Heart of Wales line. Arriva operate the regular direct service from Swansea to Manchester Piccadilly via the Welsh Marches Line.

Swansea is close to the M4 motorway (junctions 42 to 48 inclusive), the main artery for road traffic through south Wales. it is a National Express stop, and for a short while was on the Megabus route. The Swansea-Cardiff shuttle bus is heavily used. Swansea is also on the Traws-Cambria route which connects the north and south of the country together via Aberystwyth, a bus so well-known in Wales that songs have been written about it.

Swansea Airport is situated on Fairwood Common on Gower. it is primarily a domestic airport, first built during WWii when there was no need for an inquiry. Air Wales operated services from Swansea, but ceased to use the airport from late 2004.

There is a thriving passenger ferry service between Swansea and Cork, ireland. This is a one ferry service run by Swansea Cork Ferries, an independent company.