£1 bus journey throughout December in Rhondda Cynon Taff 11/11/2024
We are delighted to support the Rhondda Cynon Taff Council with their initiative of a cheaper bus service during December. This will help alleviate the traffic increase often seen at this time of the year.
Our services in RCT offer evening and weekend services with convenient connections with the trains for travelling further away.
The 102 & 112 Ynysybwl & Glyn Coch to Nantgarw via Pontypridd runs Mondays to Sundays, up to 23:30, giving you plenty of time for shopping and a Christmas drink too!
8A Aberdare to Cefn Rhigos via Hirwaun every Sunday from 8:15 until 16:15
150 Porth to Gilfach Goch via Tonyrefail every Sunday from 9:15 until 17:00
Plan your journey with our handy journey planner or on the Adventure Travel app.
Here is the Rhondda Cynon Taff announcement:
The council is pleased to announce that cheaper bus travel will once again be applied across Rhondda Cynon Taf over the upcoming festive period – with a maximum single fare of £1 being applied to local journeys in December 2024.
The subsidised cost for bus journeys will apply for the entire month, from Sunday, December 1, to Tuesday, December 31. It will apply to all journeys that start and end within the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough boundary – and will be adopted by all bus operators. This will apply from the first service to the last service each day, with no time restrictions in place for commuters.
This is the fifth period since summer 2023 when the £1 maximum bus fare has been applied in Rhondda Cynon Taf. These included the festive period last year and were most recently used over the six-week summer holiday in 2024.
The measure has been very well received in the past and is intended to help reduce economic barriers that may prevent people from using public transport. It has been targeted during key times of the year, such as the school holidays and festive periods. This scheme has once again been made possible thanks to important funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
During the offer period, concessionary pass holders must scan their passes as normal. All journeys that start or end outside of the Rhondda Cynon Taf boundary will not receive the offer and will be subject to the normal full fee.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “The £1 maximum bus fare has proven a very popular measure over the previous four times it’s been applied, and I’m pleased the Council and local bus operators are able to offer it again throughout December 2024 – covering the whole of the festive season, which can be a financially difficult time for families.
“Operators have reported a marked rise in the number of people using local bus services during previous instalments of the offer, as we aim to tackle the barriers preventing people from catching the bus. It’s also important that we encourage people to use public transport within everyday journeys – to protect the environment, alleviate congestion on our roads, and reduce journey times.
“The offer will once again apply to all bus journeys that start and end within the Rhondda Cynon Taf boundary, and it’s hoped that this stipulation will help encourage people to Shop Local over the festive period, supporting our local traders in the process. Christmas is an important time of the year for our retail areas, with lots of events and activities going on, and the reduced bus travel will help residents access our town centres during this busy season.
“We once again welcome the important support from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides funding for schemes that help tackle the high cost of living. A total of £1.1m was awarded to the Council last year while an extra £1.2m is secured for 2024/25, enabling us to continue to bring forward measures like cheaper bus travel during targeted periods of the year.”
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, from the UK Government, has been allocated to Local Authorities to help introduce initiatives that will reduce the cost of living for residents. This will be achieved through measures that improve energy efficiency, and combat fuel poverty and climate change.