16/09/2008 - Fast Track to Success for First and Swansea Council
First and Swansea Council joined forces to officially open an innovative mile long 'bus-only' road that will ultimately benefit First's flagship ftrmetro scheme.
Swansea's newest mode of transport was the first to travel along a new section of dedicated 'fast-track' bus lane that is protected by 8 foot steel gates at either end and runs parallel to the train line entering Swansea Train Station.
The modern Swansea ftrmetro which is operated by First Bus and is set to hit the roads of Swansea in spring 2009, made a special journey along the newly constructed express bus lane as part of the official opening of 'The Landore Express Busway'.
Special transponders underneath the vehicle trigger the bus gates to open and close them, and therefore keep cars off the bus only road. Once on the road the ftrmetro makes a spectacular sight as often it is travelling next to a First Great Western train entering or leaving Swansea station.
Transport officials at Swansea Council and bosses at First Cmryu are confident the new £2.8m fast track into Swansea will make significant time savings on journeys into the city of between five and ten minutes.
The route will bypass much of Neath Road and the busy Dyfatty junction, significantly reducing travel time to and from the city centre and helping to reduce congestion along Neath Road.
As well as providing a quick link to the city centre for Swansea ftrmetro services, the route will also cater for park and ride vehicles run by First and express Swansea Valley bus services.
Tony McNiff, MD for First in South Wales, said: 'This new stretch of road is important to the ftrmetro project because it will help the public differentiate between the journey by car and by public transport.
'From the passenger's perspective it will save between 5 and 10 minutes for ftrmetro journeys which aids our aim of introducing a high-profile modern service between Morriston and Singleton.'
John Hague, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for the Environment said, 'I'm delighted to have officially opened this new section of road purpose built for public transport.
'We are continuing our efforts to make public transport the popular choice of transport for people visiting the city centre.'
The £2.8 road was built by Swansea Council with money from the Welsh Assembly Government and European Union.
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First and Swansea Council joined forces to officially open an innovative mile long 'bus-only' road that will ultimately benefit First's flagship ftrmetro scheme.
Swansea's newest mode of transport was the first to travel along a new section of dedicated 'fast-track' bus lane that is protected by 8 foot steel gates at either end and runs parallel to the train line entering Swansea Train Station.
The modern Swansea ftrmetro which is operated by First Bus and is set to hit the roads of Swansea in spring 2009, made a special journey along the newly constructed express bus lane as part of the official opening of 'The Landore Express Busway'.
Special transponders underneath the vehicle trigger the bus gates to open and close them, and therefore keep cars off the bus only road. Once on the road the ftrmetro makes a spectacular sight as often it is travelling next to a First Great Western train entering or leaving Swansea station.
Transport officials at Swansea Council and bosses at First Cmryu are confident the new £2.8m fast track into Swansea will make significant time savings on journeys into the city of between five and ten minutes.
The route will bypass much of Neath Road and the busy Dyfatty junction, significantly reducing travel time to and from the city centre and helping to reduce congestion along Neath Road.
As well as providing a quick link to the city centre for Swansea ftrmetro services, the route will also cater for park and ride vehicles run by First and express Swansea Valley bus services.
Tony McNiff, MD for First in South Wales, said: 'This new stretch of road is important to the ftrmetro project because it will help the public differentiate between the journey by car and by public transport.
'From the passenger's perspective it will save between 5 and 10 minutes for ftrmetro journeys which aids our aim of introducing a high-profile modern service between Morriston and Singleton.'
John Hague, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for the Environment said, 'I'm delighted to have officially opened this new section of road purpose built for public transport.
'We are continuing our efforts to make public transport the popular choice of transport for people visiting the city centre.'
The £2.8 road was built by Swansea Council with money from the Welsh Assembly Government and European Union.
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