Swansea Council and transport provider First Cymru have picked up a joint award at the National Transport Awards for the innovative ftrmetro service.

The Improvements to Bus Services award was presented to representatives from the Council and First at a special ceremony held in Manchester recently.

The ftrmetro was launched in Swansea in September last year and has gone from strength to strength with passenger user numbers increasing month on month. And in April this year the service celebrated its millionth passenger.

John Hague, Cabinet Member for the Environment in Swansea Council, said, "These awards are recognition that we are moving in the right direction in terms of improving public transport in Swansea.

"With assistance from the Welsh Assembly Transport Grant we have been able to work alongside transport operators in the city to introduce innovative public transport services that help us achieve our long term aims for a sustainable integrated transport system."

Kevin Hart, Interim Managing Director, First Cymru, added: "The ftrmetro has performed consistently well since it was launched in Swansea last September. It is currently the best performing First bus route in Swansea, achieving significant growth (circa 10%) above what we initially forecast for it. In addition, customer feedback remains positive with people seeming to like the internal layout, and the quicker journey times. The improved integration between bus and rail services has also been well received, with people using Service 4 to travel onwards from the railway station, particularly to get to and from the university and the Liberty stadium."

Swansea ftrmetro is a £14million package run in partnership by First Cymru and the City and County of Swansea Council. Infrastructure works to support the vehicles were funded by a Welsh Assembly's Government Transport Grant, while First spent circa £4million purchasing 10 ftr vehicles as well as upgrading its depot in Swansea to accommodate the larger vehicles.

Talking at the Awards, Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond said, "Transport is fundamental to our national well being. It is a great enabler of economic growth, the lifeblood of commerce, moving people to jobs and goods to the marketplace. But ultimately its the people in transport who really make the difference, using their skills and commitment to deliver real and sustained improvements on the ground.

"The National Transport Awards are all about celebrating excellence and achievement in the transport world."