Flexible bus route rollout

A NEW bus service which allows passengers to request a pick-up for essential travel is set to expand into Cardiff.

The Transport for Wales pilot service “fflecsi” allows people to request a bus to pick them up near home, work or shops for essential travel, rather than following a set timetable at fixed bus stops.

The service was piloted last month in Newport and is now set to be rolled out in areas in north Cardiff from Monday.

Riders will be able to book a seat through the fflecsi mobile app or by calling 0300 234 0300.

To book, riders select a desired pick-up and drop-off location, and will be matched with a seat in a bus that is fully compliant with public health guidelines for social distancing.

The NAT G1 route will run between Gwaelod-y-garth and Mynachdy, covering areas including Whitchurch, Tongwynlais, Melingriffith, Llandaff North and Coryton.

Service areas have been designed for essential journeys and will include the University Hospital of Wales, Velindre Cancer Centre, Llandaf railway station and supermarkets.

The pilot scheme will run between 7.40am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

In Newport, bus services in St Julians will also return on a scheduled timetable to run alongside the new fflecsi service.

Launched last month, fflecsi replaced the timetabled 26A/26C services in the area, but Newport Transport has confirmed these will now return to run every 120 minutes Monday to Friday from June 29.