New service to connect Rhayader and surrounding communities

Powys County Council has worked with Transport for Wales (TfW) to introduce a demand-responsive fflecsi service to Rhayader from November 2.

The new service will replace the B57 and B58 Bwcabus and allow communities in Rhayader and surrounding areas to travel further.

Designed to meet local needs, the service will give residents and visitors across Rhayader, Llanidloes, Crossgates, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells and the Elan Valley a flexible and reliable way to get around rural areas without relying on a car.

The bookable service will connect people with local services, attractions, employment, education and onward public transport links including the X75 to Aberystwyth, T4 to Merthyr Tydfil, and the Heart of Wales Line.

Operated by Simon Price Cars, the service offers a convenient alternative to traditional fixed route bus services in rural areas.

Unlike conventional bus routes, fflecsi allows passengers to book journeys through the app or by phone. The service picks passengers up from a safe nearby location and takes them to destinations within the operating zone.

Ahead of the launch, representatives will be hosting a series of community engagement events across the new zone.

Residents are encouraged to go along to one of the sessions below to learn more about the service and receive support with booking at The Groe, Builth Wells, between 9:45am and 11:30am on Thursday, October 29, at Newbridge on Wye, near the Golden Lion and Village Post Office, between 1pm and 2:45pm on Thursday, October 29 and at Rhayader Leisure Centre, between 10am and 2:30pm on Friday, October 30.

Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys at Powys County Council, said: "Good local public transport is essential for supporting vibrant and sustainable rural communities.

The introduction of fflecsi in the Rhayader area provides an exciting new travel option that will complement the wider transport network while helping people make more sustainable journeys.

We're pleased to see this investment in rural Powys and look forward to the benefits it will bring for local communities and visitors to the area."

Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, said: "Good public transport plays a vital role in connecting rural communities, helping people access employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities.

We're committed to improving sustainable travel options across Wales, and this new fflecsi service will provide greater flexibility for residents and visitors travelling throughout the Rhayader area.

Services like fflecsi help tackle isolation, improve access to essential services and offer a practical alternative to private car use."

Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales, said: "We're pleased to be introducing fflecsi to Rhayader and the surrounding communities, providing local people with a more flexible and convenient way to travel.

The new service will help connect people to work, education, healthcare and other essential services, while also improving access to the wider public transport network.

fflecsi has already proven successful in communities across Wales, and we're looking forward to working with local partners to provide a service that meets the needs of residents and helps make public transport a more attractive option for everyday journeys."

Journeys can be booked through the fflecsi app, or by calling Transport for Wales on 0300 234 0300.

For more information and to download the app, visit fflecsi.wales