On 4 August 2014, the Transport Minister Edwina Hart officially launched the new T1 bus service between Carmarthen, Lampeter and Aberystwyth at Lampeter University.

The service is funded by the Welsh Government as part of the longer distance TrawsCymru network. It will be operated by First Cymru on an hourly basis from Monday to Saturday, four times a day on a Sunday and with an improved evening service as a result of passenger feedback.

The timetable has been specially designed to integrate with the Bwcabus scheme in the Teifi Valley and Lampeter areas and to offer good connections with rail services at Carmarthen and Aberystwyth.

Low floor buses will ensure ease of access, while coach style seating; and free WiFi on all buses will provide for a comfortable journey.

The Minister said: “The route from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth via Lampeter is one of the busiest and most important in West Wales so I am delighted that Welsh Government funding is ensuring this vital service will not only continue, but will also be improved both in terms of convenience and accessibility and comfort for travellers.

“The service will not only connect the three main towns but will also connect smaller rural communities in north Carmarthenshire and south Ceredigion providing much needed access to employment and services

Managing Director of First Cymru, Justin Davies added: “We are delighted to be working with the Welsh Government to provide this service. The T1 route is an important service, linking key communities and important universities, and we expect people to really welcome the new timetable, which, for the first time, offers people the chance to travel on Sundays and later into the evening. This is a really positive step forward.”

Carmarthenshire executive board member for transport services Cllr Colin Evans said: “All parties have worked hard to secure this valuable service and now I want to see its future guaranteed with the public’s support and use.”

Margaret Everson, from Bus Users Cymru said, “Bus Users Cymru is delighted that the future of this service is now secure. To prepare for the tendering process we organised consultation group meetings along the route because it was important that we gave users and potential users of the service the opportunity to have their say, and we also publicised the events to encourage non users to come along and find out about the services.