South & West Wales - De a Gorllewin Cymru

New Era Dawns for Landmark Bus Station

It's all change on June 14 when Swansea's city centre bus station closes to pave the way for a multi-million pound redevelopment.
The existing bus station located next to the Quadrant Shopping Centre is set to be transformed into a modern bus station with 20 bus bays, three coach stands, modern passenger facilities, easy access to the shops and Shopmobility facilities.

The last day of operation of the existing bus station is Saturday, June 13 and the following day bus services will operate from a series of temporary bus stops located across the city centre.
Six leading companies are currently bidding for the redevelopment contract and Swansea Council is expected to appoint the contractor in May. Work is expected to start on site during the summer.

The redevelopment is expected to last 15 months and will bring significant changes to bus services during that period.
Each bus service will have a single, dedicated bus stop in the city centre where passengers will catch and get off their bus.

Swansea Council, bus operators and city centre businesses are working together to manage the changes to bus services and the potential disruption to passengers, workers and shoppers.
A huge amount of planning has gone into maintaining bus services while the existing bus station is closed.

Details of the temporary changes will be made widely available during the coming weeks to residents, bus passengers, city centre workers and visitors.

Chris Holley, Leader of Swansea Council said, "We all recognise our existing bus station is in desperate need of modernisation.

"Swansea deserves a modern and welcoming bus station which provides passengers with high quality facilities and creates a good impression for visitors.
"The existing bus station has to close so that we can go ahead with such a major redevelopment. A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring we can provide bus services during the closure of the bus station.

"I apologise for any inconvenience caused during the works, but at the end of it we will have the modern bus station that the people of Swansea have been asking for."

Tony McNiff, Managing Director of bus operator First Cymru, said, "We very much welcome that the new bus station is set to go ahead as planned.

"It will mean the removal of one of Swansea's least attractive buildings and provide the city with a high quality public transport hub.

"Clearly, while the work goes ahead there will be some temporary changes to bus services. We are working closely with the team at Swansea Council to ensure that information is circulated in a timely manner to minimise any inconvenience to customers.

"Bearing in mind the widespread view that the new bus station is a much-needed facility, I am sure that our customers will bear with us until we are able to transfer local bus services back to a central point."

Nigel Evans, owner of city centre business, Starvin Jacks, said, "Local businesses are all behind the redevelopment of the bus station. This is something that will help to modernise the city centre.
"We recognise that this is a huge development and we want to be able to assist the Council and ensure bus passengers and local businesses get as much assistance as they can while the work is on-going."

The Welsh Assembly Government has to date provided significant funding for the project which is to receive additional funding from the Welsh European Funding Office.