Cardiff’s city centre ‘bus box’ comes into full operation this weekend, amid claims it will weaken transport integration.
From Sunday, council-owned Cardiff Bus will re-route many of its services around the anti-clockwise circuit which takes passengers to the giant new St David’s 2 shopping complex and other locations. About 90% of the operator’s services previously used the bus station adjacent to Cardiff Central rail station.
Cardiff Council is considering development opportunities for some of the site of the bus station, already partly demolished. The bus box also prepares for the £7.3m pedestrianisation of St Mary Street, previously the main bus thoroughfare.
However, other bus operators continue to favour the bus station. Barclay Davies, Welsh officer of Bus Users UK, said: ‘Cardiff has a shining example of true integrated transport. Whereas most towns are striving towards that, Cardiff is moving away from it. It’s going to make people think twice about using public transport.’
Prof Stuart Cole, of the Wales Transport Research Centre, said: ‘If Cardiff wants a fully-integrated transport system, the buses have to go into the Central bus station.’ Cardiff Council says the bus box reflects a southward shift of retailing, and that congestion is caused by having most bus routes converge on the bus station.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
