Steady Travel Through Wales: T4 Changes Operator in September
From September 2025, Celtic Travel will take the wheel on the TrawsCymru T4 route connecting Merthyr Tydfil and Newtown, as Stagecoach steps away from the service. This route has been running for more than ten years, linking up towns across Mid Wales that locals rely on and travellers often pass through. The switch comes as Stagecoach prepares to launch a new X4 service running separately between Merthyr and Cardiff.
While the operator is changing, the route will remain active without interruption. Transport for Wales has confirmed that the timetable will be reviewed and that newer vehicles are expected by early 2026. For travellers crossing Wales by public transport, this ensures continued access through rural areas that are otherwise difficult to reach without a car.
At the northern end of the route, Newtown offers its own attractions. The Oriel Davies Gallery features contemporary art with a focus on local and regional themes. A short walk from the town centre brings visitors to Dolerw Park, a quiet riverside green space popular with walkers. These stops are reachable by bus, making the T4 a useful connection for those exploring towns beyond major train routes.
Those arriving in Merthyr Tydfil by public transport can step off into a town where heritage and nature are both within easy reach. Cyfarthfa Castle, a 19th-century estate overlooking the town, sits within a public park and offers historical exhibitions. A short distance outside the town, the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, still widely known as the Brecon Beacons, opens up with its wide hills, open trails, and scenic views of the surrounding countryside. Travellers can easily connect to the park from Merthyr without needing a car or extensive detours.
If you're heading through Mid Wales, the T4 staying in service means you’ve still got a steady, no-fuss way to get from place to place. Without needing to switch between different forms of transport, it simplifies access to cultural and natural landmarks along the way. The operator change brings not just continuity but also potential service improvements in the months ahead. For those without a car, this kind of route can make spontaneous or low-cost travel far more realistic.