New technology is being rolled out across all First Cymru buses this spring, making travel quicker and simpler for thousands of passengers.

From the end of March, adults boarding buses will be able to use Tap On, Tap Off (TOTO), where they simply tap their bank card or payment device on card readers and pay the cheapest adult fare depending on the number of journeys they make and distance travelled. The system will automatically calculate the cheapest fare, providing the same payment method is used.

As part of the change, First Cymru is overhauling its fares for the first time in five years to make it easier for customers to know what they are paying. From Sunday, March 31, all adult tickets bought in advance from the First Bus app or from the driver will be a flat rate of £3 for a single, £5.40 for a return and £6 for a day ticket, and while a child ticket will be based on distance travelled, the maximum single and return fares will be £2 and £3.60 respectively, with a day ticket at £4.

Child prices in Pembrokeshire will be slightly cheaper as part of First Cymru’s contract with the county council. Tickets can be used across all First Cymru services.

Customers using TOTO will pay depending on the number of miles they travel, with the cheapest fare costing £1.60 and the maximum costing no more than a flat rate single (£3) and return (£5.40) ticket. Again, prices in Pembrokeshire will be slightly cheaper.

Multiple trips in a single day using TOTO will be capped at the new adult day ticket fare of £6.

First Cymru has won a number of contracts with councils to run additional services across south and west Wales.

Among them are:

Service 322 (Haverfordwest to Glangwili), which will link Pembrokeshire services to Carmarthen three times every weekday, enabling customers, for the first time, to travel between Pembrokeshire and Cardiff just using First Cymru buses.

Service 381 (Haverfordwest to Tenby), an hourly weekday service via Narberth and Saundersfoot.

The new fares will be effective from Sunday, March 31 and new routes come into effect the following day on Monday, April 1 (although this will be a Sunday service as it is Easter weekend), with new timetables available on the First Cymru website. Customers are urged to check details before travelling ahead of the new services coming into effect.