Bus ‘on demand’ scheme extended
A BUS scheme is being piloted in Rhondda Cynon Taf that enables people to be picked up near their homes or work places.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has worked in partnership with Transport for Wales (TfW) and Stagecoach to extend the “fflecsi” pilot scheme to the 152 bus service between Tonypandy and Hendreforgan.
Fflecsi allows people to request a demand-responsive bus to pick them up near home, work or shops for essential travel, rather than following a set timetable at fixed bus stops.
Powered by technology from ViaVan, fflecsi was first launched by TfW and Newport Bus in May, replacing a number of scheduled local bus services in Newport and has received positive feedback in its first month of operation.
It has also since been rolled out by TfW and NAT Group in north Cardiff.
After the initial success in Newport and north Cardiff, the pilot scheme is now being rolled out in the Tonypandy and Tonyrefail areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf as the next stage in its development.
The Stagecoach 152 route became a fflecsi service on July 20, and runs between Tonypandy and Hendreforgan. It covers services in communities including Penygraig, Williamstown, Penrhiwfer, Tonyrefail and Thomastown.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “Encouraging people to use public transport once again – now travel and other restrictions are being relaxed – has many benefits for individuals and the wider community, including less traffic on our roads, reduced journey times and fewer carbon emissions.
“The fflecsi initiative is a very innovative way of putting the customer in control of their journey, and therefore making travelling by bus more appealing and accessible to a greater number of people. I’m pleased that the scheme is being extended, and having been already successfully piloted in Newport and areas of Cardiff it will provide the communities of Tonypandy, Penygraig, Penrhiwfer, Tonyrefail and Hendreforgan with public transport once again.”
Service areas have been designed for essential journeys and will include key destinations such as Tonypandy railway and bus stations, Tonyrefail Leisure Centre and supermarkets.
As part of the pilot scheme in the Tonypandy and Tonyrefail areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf, fflecsi services will run between 7.30am and 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday.
Passengers will be able to book a seat through the fflecsi mobile app, or by calling 0300 234 0300.
To book, riders select a desired pickup and drop-off location, and will be matched with a seat in a high-capacity bus that is fully compliant with public health guidelines for social distancing.
ViaVan’s technology will direct passengers to a nearby “virtual bus stop” for pick-up, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, fixed routes or schedules.
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said: “Fflecsi is a very exciting trial for us as we continue to transform public transport in Wales.
“I look forward to finding out what we can learn from the next stage of the pilot scheme in the Tonypandy and Tonyrefail areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and how we can potentially apply this in other areas in the future.”
Nigel Winter, managing director for Stagecoach in South Wales, added: “We are delighted to work with TfW and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on this flexible bus project for the Rhondda Fawr.
“By repurposing the funding provided by Rhondda Cynon Taf to run the Service 152, working together with TfW we are able to offer customers a new product that is flexible and potentially more efficient than a fixed route and timed service.”