SOUTH WALES COUNCILS WORK TOGETHER TO FILL THE STRATEGIC GAP IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROVISION

This article describes how local authorities in South Wales, UK, are working in partnership to deliver public transport improvements. Six authorities in and around Cardiff came together to form the SWIFT consortium, together with local transport organisations and operators. The aim was to improve public transport to the Cardiff Bay regeneration area and Cardiff city centre, to reduce congestion and ease parking problems. A transport study recommended concentrating on heavy rail and bus services, already in place, rather than implementing new systems. Schemes include the reopening to passengers of a rail line currently only used for freight in the Vale of Glamorgan, serving a coastal town and Cardiff airport. This will involve the rebuilding and enlarging of a local station at Cardiff and the provision of a bus interchange, and in turn will enable more train services on other local lines. Bus service improvments are also being put into operation, and smartcard integrated ticketing is being tested.