Baycar (also styled as baycar) is a bus service in Cardiff, connecting the city centre and Cardiff Bay.
The service forms part of the wider Cardiff Bus network. The baycar used to be themed with its own branded vehicles, bus shelters and boards.
In 2007, the service was used by 39,000 each week. Cardiff's Baycar bus recognised at awards
Under the 5-year contract, the bus service was subsidised £200,000 per month by Cardiff Council, which owns Cardiff Bus, and by the Welsh Government. Cardiff Council
The Baycar system came second to consumer watchdog Bus Users UK Cymru Wales, under the Best Example of Participation in Transport category, at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Wales' National Transport Awards in 2007.
The core service operated from the Wales Millennium Centre to the northern end of the city centre. The route was extended during peak times (Monday–Friday 0645–1930 (to Civic Centre) / 0645–2010 (to Porth Teigr) so that the northern end of the route ran through Cathays Park (the Civic Centre) and the south of the route extended to Porth Teigr. Cardiff Bus: Baycar
The route Baycar currently takes has been significantly shortened, running only between Canal Street in the city centre, to the Millennium Centre. Normal operating days incorporate one bus running back and forth forming a half-hourly service from each end.
During summer 2024, Cardiff Bus were unable to run the popular Skycar (open top bus) service to Penarth via Cardiff Bay due to local bridge heights being changed. Instead, a second bus was assigned to the route for the peak season to form a quarter-hourly service from approximately 1000-1800.
Fares on the service are £2.40 for a single, or £4.70 for a day-to-go ticket (as of August 2024).
Baycar no longer operates using a dedicated, branded vehicle. Instead the route is assigned to the new electric Yutong E12 fleet that was delivered in March 2024.
Due to recently adjusted bridge height clearances on the route, double decker vehicles are unable to operate the Baycar route.
Amongst the landmarks and attractions served are:
|
|