TrawsCymru is the brand name for a network of regional bus services in Wales, sponsored by the Welsh Government.

[1] In 2011, a programme of improvements for TrawsCambria services X40 (Carmarthen - Pencader - Lampeter - Aberaeron - Aberystwyth) and 704/T4 (Newtown - Brecon/Merthyr) was announced.

During 2012, these two routes were to receive new Optare Tempos equipped with coach style seating, greater luggage space, real time information and WiFi.

[4] The X40 was originally scheduled to be replaced by TrawsCymru service T1/TC1 from 1 April 2012 [5] under a contract until 31 March 2020 on offer.

However it later emerged that Arriva Buses Wales intended to stop operating the X40 service, along with its share of route 550, from 26 February.

[6] Instead Arriva introduced services branded Cymru Express on a fully commercial basis in place of the former TrawsCambria X40.

In July 2013, it emerged that Welsh Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, had commissioned a review of the TrawsCymru network.

[7] This outcome of this review was published by in February 2014, defining the purpose of TrawsCymru as a network of medium-to-long-distance (defined as 25 miles or more), strategically important bus services that connect key towns in Wales – complementing the rail network.

[8] The report's recommendations included: During 2014, the roll-out of the TrawsCymru brand to the other TrawsCambria corridors finally began.

Invitations To Tender were also published for the remaining three TrawsCambria routes X50 (Aberystwyth-Cardigan), T2 (Bangor-Aberystwyth) and X94 (Wrexham-Barmouth), to be known as T5, T2 and T3 respectively.

[9][10] The T2 contract was expected to start in 2014, but due to last minute registrations of commercial workings by the incumbent operators ended up being let as a short term extension without TrawsCymru branding.

The T1 is operated by First Cymru using eight Yutong E12 battery electric buses launched for the service in TrawsCymru livery in March 2023;[13][14] many duties are subcontracted to Mid Wales Travel drivers.

The full journey time of the combined T1 & T1C service when operated by First Cymru was 4 hours 35 minutes.

The T1S provides connections at Carmarthen for passengers travelling between Aberystwyth and Swansea on Monday to Saturday, has an approximate full journey time of 1 hour and additionally serves the National Botanic Garden of Wales once per day in either direction.

[citation needed][17] In March 2016, the service was upgraded with four TrawsCymru branded Optare MetroCitys.

GHA Coaches were awarded a seven-year contract to operate the service, initially with existing buses (one single deck Scania OmniCity of which was TrawsCymru liveried) before taking delivery of three Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UDs and an Alexander Dennis Enviro200, all fitted with Wi-Fi and leather seats in 2015.

The three aging former TrawsCambria Optare Tempos were finally retired in May to June 2017 after more than a decade of service, and replaced with three transferred two-year-old Alexander Dennis Enviro300 bodied Scania K230UBs.

The T14 service (Cardiff to Hereford via Merthyr Tydfil, Brecon and Hay-on-Wye) commenced operating on 2 September 2018.

[27][28][29] While the Tempos remain on the service, the fact that they are ageing former TrawsCambria examples (same as the older T4 ones withdrawn in 2017) as opposed to the newer ones used on the T4 and T9, means that the MetroCitys and SB200s are somewhat prioritised.

The T6 runs seven days a week, hourly Monday to Saturday with five journeys in each direction on Sundays and bank holidays.

[30] On 10 June 2020, NAT Group announced that it would continue the Severn Express route working in partnership with Monmouthshire County Council and TrawsCymru.