Seventeen years ago, Swansea welcomed the bendy buses with hopes of revolutionising city transport. Shiny and purple, they hit the streets in 2009 as part of the ftrMetro system, leading to major roadworks and hefty costs. Each bus was an impressive 61 feet long, designed to carry 113 passengers. However, it wasn’t long before this project, costing £14 million, became one of Swansea’s most controversial ventures.
Despite being deemed a “terrific project” by city leaders, local businesses saw red. Roadworks caused chaos, with traders reporting dramatic drops in footfall and sales. The bendy buses aimed to ease congestion but ended up causing uproar. In a tragic turn, their legacy also includes pedestrian accidents that sparked safety concerns.
By 2015, the bendies were scrapped, criticised for being too costly and contributing to a change resisted by many. However, the saga didn’t conclude there. These once-envied vehicles fell into disrepair, some vandalised while sitting in a Llanelli depot. While many were eventually sold off for parts, one historic piece was preserved. The ‘seed’ bus now resides with the South Yorkshire Transport Trust, receiving some TLC and readied for a comeback as a piece of transport history.
From grand debut to a bittersweet end, the bendy buses remain a talking point in Swansea’s urban narrative. What do you think – was it bold innovation or a costly mistake? Share your thoughts below!