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On-demand community transport and taxi services in South West Wales

The South West Wales Regional Metro, with their consultants WSP, are conducting an in-depth analysis of "on-demand" bus and taxi services within the South West Wales Region (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot).

This study aims to identify a set of recommendations for the upcoming Regional Transport Plan, to provide residents and visitors with a more integrated and improved demand responsive transport offer and to encourage taxi operators to continue to serve more deeply rural areas, outside of peak times.

What is "on-demand" transport?

"On-demand" transport can be defined as a flexible service which allows passengers to book their journey at a convenient time, from a designated pick-up point to a desired dropped off destination. This can include both demand responsive and community transport services which are defined as follows:

  • Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is a shared transportation service which operate within a specified catchment area. These services adapt their routes and schedules to meet passenger demand. Currently within the region, both Fflecsi and Dial-a-Ride offer a DRT service within the region.
  • Community transport is a form of demand responsive transport but offers more community led solutions. Community Transport can include car sharing, taxi services as well as vehicular hire and Demand Responsive Transport provision.

Examples of 'on-demand' transport in the region

Currently, within the South West Wales region there are numerous 'on-demand' transport services. These are:

Swansea

  • Swansea Voluntary Car Scheme
  • Gorseinon Car Scheme
  • Gower Voluntary Transport
  • Pontarddulais and District Community Car Scheme
  • Dulais Adan Neath Swansea Amman (DANSA)
  • TAITH Co-op

Neath Port Talbot

  • Dulais Adan Neath Swansea Amman (DANSA)
  • TAITH Co-op
  • Canolfan Maerdy
  • Ystalyfera Community Cars
  • Shopmobility

Carmarthenshire

  • Dial a Ride (DaR)
  • Dolen Teifi
  • Country Cars
  • Green Dragon Community Transport

Pembrokeshire

  • Fflecsi
  • Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport
  • Preseli Rural Transport Association
  • Manorbier Community Transport Association
  • The Bloomfield Bus
  • Bws y Bobol

Study Map showing 'on-demand' transport services within the South West Wales region

https://ctauk.org/community-transport-map

Work completed to date

To date, work has been completed on the identification and analysis of the availability, extents and usage of existing taxis, demand responsive transport and public transport service provision within the South West Wales Region. This consultation aims to gain your inputs and feedback to aid with the identification of problems and the development of recommendations.

Key problems identified

  1. Reach of timetabled bus services
  2. Limited coordination between community transport operators
  3. No single source off information for community transport
  4. Awareness of options available for travel as an alternative to the private car
  5. Availability of taxi services centralised around more urbanised areas due to logistics and costs
  6. Service availability limited by funding, driver availability and operating hours
  7. Eligibility criteria for Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPTS) restrictive
  8. Poor broadband coverage in rural areas
  9. High proportion of residents with health concerns and mobility restrictions

How to have your say

Drop-in sessions

  • Monday 14 July, 3.00pm - 7.00pm - Pentrecwrt Village Hall, Pentre-cwrt, Llandysul SA44 5BD
  • Tuesday 15 July, 3.00pm - 7.00pm - Letterston Memorial Hall, Station Road, Letterston, Haverfordwest SA62 5RY
  • Wednesday 16 July, 3.00pm - 7.00pm - Horton Village Hall, Horton, Swansea SA3 1LW
  • Thursday 17 July, 3.00pm - 7.00pm - Crymych Arms Inn, Crymych, Pembrokeshire SA41 3RJ
A drop-in session has already been undertaken in Neath Port Talbot and was held in Glynneath on 18th March 2025.

Click here to have your say online now

Closing date: 11.59pm, Thursday 31 July 2025

What happens next

Following this consultation, we welcome your inputs and feedback to develop the identified problems and development of recommendations further. If you are unable to provide feedback today or feel more comfortable sharing your views by email, you are able to share your views by emailing us at: SWWDRTandTaxi@wsp.com