New £6m Transport Hub Set to Open in Porth, Wales
A new £6 million bus station in Porth is finally ready to open its doors to the public this week, with bus services scheduled to begin operating from the site over the weekend. Transport for Wales (TfW) and Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council have jointly announced that the Porth bus interchange will officially open on Thursday, January 30. This will be followed by Stagecoach commencing bus services from the location on Sunday, February 2.
Construction of the transport hub was completed back in December 2023, but it has remained unoccupied for nearly a year, as mentioned by local Member of the Senedd Buffy Williams. However, First Minister Eluned Morgan reassured the Senedd earlier this month that the facility would soon be operational, despite initial plans aiming for a spring 2023 completion. Local councillor Ros Davis attributed much of the delay to the process of transferring ownership to Transport for Wales.
Ahead of the official opening on January 30, the public is invited to visit the interchange to explore its features. A team of customer ambassadors will be present to provide information on the new facility and its services. The project has been a collaboration between TfW and RCT Council, with funding secured from sources such as the UK government’s Levelling Up fund, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Welsh Government, as well as the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.
The interchange, operated by TfW with Stagecoach managing local bus services, boasts seven bus bays, improved cycling facilities, a new ticket office for rail tickets, toilet amenities, a taxi rank, and customer information screens displaying live departure times for both bus and rail services. Additionally, the opening of the hub aligns with the introduction of new tri-mode trains on the Treherbert line as part of the South Wales Metro initiative starting January 2025.
Marie Daly, chief customer and culture officer at TfW, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming customers to the new facility and introducing them to the services available. RCT council leader Andrew Morgan highlighted the significance of the bus interchange in Porth’s regeneration strategy, emphasizing its value as a key regional facility given the town’s location.
The modern transport hub aims to streamline commuting for residents, facilitating smoother transitions between bus and rail services. Acknowledging the extended delay in opening the facility, Councillor Morgan expressed satisfaction that the long-awaited facilities would soon be accessible, with opening arrangements now finalised.
The Porth bus interchange represents a significant investment in improving transportation infrastructure in the area, providing enhanced connectivity and convenience for local commuters. With its state-of-the-art features and seamless integration of bus and rail services, the hub is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing public transport accessibility in the region.