Fflecsi

fflecsi

Transport for Wales, the national transport authority
Parent	Transport for Wales (Welsh Government)
Founded	18 May 2020
Locale	Wales, United Kingdom Principal areas of: Blaenau Gwent Cardiff Conwy Denbighshire Flintshire Gwynedd Newport Pembrokeshire RCT
Service area	Blaenau Gwent Cardiff North Conwy Valley Denbigh Holywell Llŷn Peninsula Newport Northwest Pembrokeshire Prestatyn Tonyrefail & Tonypandy
Service type	Demand-responsive transport
Hubs	Newport
Daily ridership	7,000 (up to Sept 2020)
Operator	Alpine Travel M&H Coaches NAT Group Newport Bus Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport P&O Lloyd Coaches Stagecoach South Wales Townlynx
Website	fflecsi.wales (English) fflecsi.cymru (Welsh)

Fflecsi (stylised fflecsi)^{[pronunciation?]} is a demand-responsive transport service administered by Transport for Wales (TfW) and local authorities and operated by local bus operators across Wales. The service is in various stages of operation, operating a full service in Newport, and as a pilot experiment elsewhere. The effectiveness of the service is being monitored as full bus services resume in Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pilots, fflecsi will replace some pre-existing scheduled bus routes in the service areas where it operates.^[1] The technology behind the service is made by ViaVan, and the pilot is funded by the Welsh Government, to invest in new approaches to public transport in Wales as part of their Llwybr Newydd strategy.^[2] The pilot was included in Welsh Labour's manifesto for the 2021 Senedd election, as part of their plan to increase investment in bus services.^[3]

Passengers book and pay for journeys via an app (or telephone call), which then matches passengers travelling between similar points, calculating an ad hoc route to the destinations required within the route's service area. Most routes have a fixed start and end destination. The on-demand bus service scheme is charged with normal bus fares, with provisions for seasonal and pre-purchased tickets, MyTravelpass, and 60+ or disabled concessionary travel card. Payments are taken using either a contactless card or Smartcard, although some services may accept cash payments.

By the beginning of September 2020, fflecsi had recorded over 7,000 journeys on its service since its launch in mid-May, according to the Welsh Government. The project is set to approach 1,200 weekly journeys taken on fflecsi, with most journeys (up to 48% of all journeys) being in Newport by September 2020. The fflecsi service in Newport is the most popular, being the only one so far primarily operating in a city centre.^[4]

History[]

Pilot scheme[]

Fflecsi was first introduced in Newport on 18 May 2020 in co-operation with Newport Transport (Newport Bus).^[5] The following day, a briefing was hosted to introduce the concept to Pembrokeshire, another area where fflecsi aims to operate.^[2]

On 25 June 2020, it was announced that NAT Group (New Adventure Travel), in partnership with Cardiff Council and TfW, would launch a DRT service for the fflecsi G1 route, replacing the pre-existing G1 NAT Group route, between Gabalfa and Gwaelod-y-Garth via Whitchurch. The service commenced on 29 June, and operated as a trial for three months.^[6][7]

On 20 July 2020, fflecsi started operating in Rhondda Cynon Taf, taking over the 152 route in partnership with Stagecoach (previous sole-operator of the 152 route) and the local council. The route is from Tonypandy and Hendreforgan, stopping in destinations in the communities of Penygraig, Williamstown, Penrhiwfer, Tonyrefail and Thomastown.^[8]

On 3 August 2020, the trial service started operating in north Wales. Fflecsi was rolled out in Denbigh and Prestatyn, in co-operation with Denbighshire County Council and local bus operators.^[9]

In late August 2020, Newport Bus announced that the 26/26A route to St Julians would be discontinued on 1 September, however, they later reversed the decision and announced that area 1 services will continue.^[10] Although reports of stranded passengers followed as confusion over the reinstatement still lingered, with drivers saying their services didn't serve the areas some passengers booked for, whilst the app allowed such bookings.^[11]

On 5 October 2020, fflecsi started operating in Pembrokeshire by Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport.^[12]

On 9 November 2020, fflecsi started operating in the Conwy Valley by Alpine Travel.^[13][14][15]

In the same month, the final recommendations of the Burns report, chaired by Lord Burns, on behalf of the South East Wales Transport Commission, stated that "[Fflecsi] may be able to augment these [regular] services, especially where time of day or low density of population makes regular services unsustainable". However, the report recommends that fflecsi be treated as a complement to the existing scheduled bus network rather than a replacement.^[16]

On 30 December 2020 the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters, announced that the transfer of £800,000 of Welsh Government funding in the 2020–21 and 2021–22 financial years to Newport Transport had been agreed, in order to extend fflecsi across the City of Newport for the next nine months.^[17] On 24 March, Waters further stated: "We are also extending our on-demand fflecsi buses to cover the whole of the Newport City local bus network, showcasing Wales as a world-leader in demand-responsive travel, offering a model for future bus delivery in other parts of Wales."^[18]

On 14 June 2021, fflecsi started operating in Blaenau Gwent with Stagecoach.

On 21 June 2021, fflecsi started operating in Holywell, Flintshire, in partnership with Flintshire County Council and P&O Lloyd Coaches, the latter will operate the service. The service serves the Holywell area, connecting residents to Holywell bus station, retail areas, leisure facilities, and medical centres.^[19]

On 27 July 2021, it was announced that fflecsi's operations in Newport would be expanded from the two service zones used for fflecsi's first trial in the city to a service covering all of Newport.^[20]

In September 2021, fflecsi was included in proposals for the North Wales Metro, potentially expanding its presence to new places in the region.^[21] Later in the month, it was announced that fflecsi would be operating the existing Bwcabus service in West Wales as fflecsi Bwcabus. The 12-year operating service which operates routes between Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire, is funded by the LINC II scheme, a Welsh Government programme.^[22]

Operation[]

Fflecsi buses operate in designated service areas (also known as "zones", where the area is split into segments), where a passenger can board or alight anywhere (i.e. without the use of a bus stop) within the area. The bus will redirect its route to accommodate new requests from passengers to board or alight, whilst retaining the main route (from a fixed start to end destination) to fulfil the needs of all passengers already on board.^[23]

Requests for a fflecsi service are booked via a smartphone/tablet app, or a telephone call to fflecsi's call centre, and only during its operational daylight hours.

Health safety[]

Services were reduced during lockdowns in Wales, only serving essential journeys; to maintain social distancing, various sizes of vehicle are used and arranged to meet the demand for passengers, whilst ensuring that social distancing can be maintained on fflecsi buses. As on all public transport, it is required to wear face coverings on fflecsi services.

Service areas[]

Fflecsi replaces or complements scheduled bus routes within a service area, occasionally configured around the original route (leading to some linear-shaped service areas) and including key destinations such as railway stations, health centres and retail areas. Parts of Wales where fflecsi has replaced multiple bus routes may lead to a broader and larger service area, specifically in rural areas or urban areas connecting to its suburbs and rural settlements. Other places where fflecsi has also replaced many routes may have their service area split into service zones based on corridors of the previous routes or a high demand area, and passengers would be required to switch fflecsi services to exit one service zone and enter another.

Fares and discount eligibility differ for each service area. Prices and routes as of June 2021.

Conwy Valley[]

Fflecsi replaced bus routes 42, 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D, 70 and 42 (only the section between Llanrwst and to Cwm Penmachno on 42) previously operated by Llew Jones International,^[24] with destinations such as Llanrwst, Betws y Coed, Corwen, Penmachno and Llangernyw.^[25] The services are operating in partnership with Alpine Travel of North Wales and Conwy County Borough Council. They operate Monday to Saturday, with extended services to Corwen only operational three times a week. Concession card holders travel for free, and fares are between £1 and £3 for adults.^[13][26]

Pembrokeshire[]

Fflecsi operates a service area in northwest Pembrokeshire; bus routes and service times differ throughout the area and run differently each day. Different villages within the area may be serviced on different days of the week. The services are operating in partnership with Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport (PVT) and Pembrokeshire County Council, which operate a service area configured roughly like a triangle, with 3 main hubs in the area in each corner.

The hubs are Fishguard, Haverfordwest, and St Davids, which can all be connected with a fflecsi service with each other at varying times. These connections form 3 loose zones of the service area, which all overlap with each other near the centre of the Pembrokshire service area. Unlike other zones operated by fflecsi, they are named after figures or places according to PVT. The St Brides service zone revolves around connections between St Davids and Haverfordwest, occupying the western half. St Aidan's service zone revolves around connections between St Davids and Fishguard, occupying the northern half. Jemima's service zone revolves around connections between Fishguard and Haverfordwest, occupying the eastern half of the entire service area.^[27]

Trips must be pre-booked in advance, and charged £4–£6 for adults, with discounts using MyTravelPass and free services for Welsh concession card holders are available.^{[28][29][30][2]}

Newport[]

At launch in Newport, there are two service zones, 1 and 26, centred on Rogerstone and St Julians respectively. The zones overlap in Newport city centre, and its bus station. Zone 1 replaces routes 1, 1B, 11A and 11C, connecting Rogerstone, Pye Corner, High Cross, Ridgeway and the city centre, while Zone 26 replaces routes 26A and 26C, connecting Old Barn Estate, St Julians, Barnardtown, Beechwood and the city centre.

The two zones operate separately, with specific fflecsi buses only servicing their zones. To move between the two zones, for example from Zone 1 to 26, one has to alight off a route 1 bus and board a route 26 for a destination in Zone 26 from an origin in Zone 1. The services are operating in partnership with Newport Transport (Newport Bus) who provide fares. Season/pre-purchased tickets can be used, and those with a MyTravelpass or a disabled concessionary travel card may be provided a discount.^[31]

From Summer 2021, the service in Newport was expanded, with one service zone covering all of Newport. The new service was described to be complementing and enhancing to the existing local bus routes in the city. It operates 7 days a week, with reduced Sunday operating hours.^[32][33]

In September 2021 some new minibuses were taken out of service in Newport due to a manufacturing fault.^[34]

Cardiff North[]

G1
Overview
System	Fflecsi
Operator	Transport for Wales NAT Group Cardiff Council
Status	Trial
Began service	2020
Predecessors	NAT Route #G1
Route
Locale	Cardiff
Route details Communities served Coryton Tongwynlais Whitchurch Landmarks served River Taff Llandaf railway station Start Gwaelod-y-Garth Via Coryton Tongwynlais Whitchurch Llandaff North Llandaf railway station End University Hospital of Wales Service Level Daily (ex. Sundays & Bank Holidays) Operates 6:40 am – 12:30 pm 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm

In north Cardiff, fflecsi has replaced the G1 route to provide a G1 service area, covering Coryton, Gwaelod-y-Garth, Llandaff North, Tongwynlais, and Whitchurch, with the University Hospital of Wales and Llandaf railway station being within this area. The services are operating in partnership with NAT Group (Adventure Travel; where fflecsi tickets can be used on their other non-fflecsi routes), charged £2 for a single, and £3 for a return trip.^[35]

Rhondda[]

152
Overview
System	Fflecsi
Operator	Transport for Wales Stagecoach Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Status	Trial
Began service	2020
Predecessors	Stagecoach Route #152
Route
Locale	Rhondda Cynon Taf
Route details Communities served Tonypandy Penygraig Williamstown Penrhiwfer Tonyrefail Thomastown Hendreforgan Landmarks served Tonypandy railway station Tonypandy bus station Start Tonypandy Via Penygraig Williamstown Penrhiwfer Tonyrefail Thomastown End Hendreforgan Service Level Daily (ex. Sundays & Bank Holidays) Operates 7:30 am – 12:00 pm 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm

In Rhondda, there is a fflecsi 152 service on the former 152 scheduled bus route, covering Hendreforgan, Tonyrefail and Tonypandy. The services are operating in partnership with Stagecoach and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.^[36][37]

Prestatyn[]

In Prestatyn, fflecsi replaced the 40 bus route, operated by Townlynx. The service area that replaces the route spans most of the Prestatyn area, including Bryn Newydd, Ffrith, and the bordering areas north and west of Meliden and Gronant respectively, though not serving most of Meliden and areas of Gronant in Flintshire.^[38]

Denbigh[]

Fflecsi operates a service area in Denbigh and Henllan, replacing the 66 bus route. The services are operating in partnership with M&H coaches. The area covers Denbigh Town centre and the B5382 road up to Henllan. The service is charged at £1.50 for a single, and £2.70 for a return trip.^[39]

Blaenau Gwent[]

On 14 June 2021, fflecsi was introduced to Blaenau Gwent, replacing routes E2 and E4. The service area is split into two zones, 1 and 2. Zone 1 centred on Ebbw Vale and Rassau Industrial Estate. Zone 2 spanning south (mainly along A467) from Brynmawr to Llanhilleth. The two zones border each other at Garnlydan and near Beaufort.^[40] The services are operating in partnership with Stagecoach and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Zone 1 also serves Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan and Ysbyty'r Tri Chwm.^[37][41]

Flintshire[]

On 21 June 2021, fflecsi expanded its operations to Flintshire, with a service area spanning the area of and around Holywell. The area of this service will enable connections to other bus services in both Holywell and Caerwys for residents (especially rural) who currently lack access to public transport. In addition to allowing passengers to connect to other services, fflecsi's service area in Holywell will include local leisure facilities, retail outlets, schools, and medical centres.^[19] The service is operated by P&O Lloyd Coaches.^[42]

The fflecsi service replaces the bus routes LT1, LT2, and LT3, is charged at £2.50 for adults, £1.50 for children, with concessionary cards providing free travel, and discounts for those with a young person's mytravelpass.^[43]

On 5 July 2021, the operations of the service were increased to provide a six-day service for the area.^[44]

Llŷn Peninsula[]

In July 2021, fflecsi started operations in the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd. Operating as 'O Ddrws i Ddrws fflecsi', it replaced the service that only operated along the coast. The new service only runs on weekdays, and serves an area that includes Aberdaron, Abersoch, Nefyn, Pwllheli, and Trefor, with connections to beaches, camping sites, and other tourist attractions.^[45]

West Wales[]

On 27 September 2021, it was announced that fflecsi would start operating the 12-year operating Bwcabus service in West Wales, in partnership with Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Ceredigion County Councils. The existing service would become available on fflecsi's app and website, but will use a different telephone number.^[22]

Fleet[]

Fflecsi uses either minibuses, or buses provided by operators.^[46] Nine branded minibuses are used in Newport for the operation of the whole Newport fflecsi service.^[20]

References[]