Save Money with TrawsCymru

1 week ago Tue 4th Feb 2025

Front of Traws Bus

As fuel prices continue to rise and the cost of car ownership soars, you might want to know how catching the bus can save you money. Even just swapping out one usual journey you’d take by car can save you money in the long run. TrawsCymru is here to get you where you need to be, whilst helping you save money.  
 

Real-World Savings

Let's consider a regular traveller between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth using the T1 service.

An adult day ticket costs £5.75 (A 16-21 Day ticket with mytravelpass costs £3.80)

An adult week ticket costs £20 (A 16-21 Week ticket with mytravelpass costs £13.30)

You can find out the price of tickets for all our routes and buy them here: Fares and tickets - Transport for Wales

That journey by car would cost (on average) £1.96 each way in fuel and £6.60 for day parking in Aberystwyth.  

So if you made this journey 4 times a week that would cost you £20 using the bus, and £42.08 using your car. Switching to the bus for one week could save you £22.08.

 

Bus Benefits  

So it’s clear that swapping out the car for a bus can save you money directly, but there are other real benefits beyond financial savings you can enjoy.  

  1. Stress-free travel without worrying about parking  
  2. Time to work, read, or relax on journeys
  3. Reduced carbon footprint
  4. Access to free Wi-Fi on most services
  5. Professional drivers handling weather and traffic conditions

 

Making the Switch

Transitioning from car to bus travel doesn't have to be all or nothing. You might want to start by:  

  1. Using TrawsCymru services for longer journeys while keeping the car for local trips
  2. Testing the service for weekend leisure travel before committing to weekday use
  3. Combining bus travel with other transport options like trains or cycling

 

The Hidden Costs of Car Ownership

The cost of driving a car isn’t just limited to the cost of fuel, the actual expenses go far beyond what you pay at the pump. Consider these annual costs:

  • Purchase/Depreciation per year: £1,251
  • Petrol and Diesel: £747
  • Car Insurance: £621
  • Repairs and Servicing: £473
  • Motor vehicle road tax: £153
  • Parking fees, tolls, and permits (excluding motoring fines): £39
  • Garage rent, other costs (excluding fines), car washing, etc.: £44
  • Motoring organisation subscription (eg AA and RAC): £19
  • Anti-freeze, battery water, cleaning materials: £10

 

Annual running costs for a car £3,357 (Average Cost to Run a Car UK 2025 | NimbleFins)

This adds up to an annual cost of £3,357, or roughly £279 per month, and that's before considering the initial purchase price of the vehicle. 

 

Conclusion

Whether you're commuting to work, visiting family, or exploring Wales, TrawsCymru offers an alternative to driving yourself. By making the switch, you can save money while contributing to a more sustainable transportation future for Wales.

The best way to verify these potential savings is to calculate your current car expenses and compare them with TrawsCymru fares for your regular journeys. Also keep in mind that single and return tickets are available to purchase on the bus with cash or contactless. The results might surprise you and your wallet might thank you.