News
£1 bus fares for young people across Wales from September
Scheme to launch for 16 to 21-year-olds, expanding to children aged five and above by November
YOUNG PEOPLE in Wales aged 16 to 21 will be able to travel on buses for just £1 per journey from 1 September, thanks to a new Welsh Government scheme aimed at reducing travel costs and boosting access to education, work, and leisure.
The scheme will also include the option of a £3 unlimited day ticket, valid across participating bus services throughout Wales. The initiative will run for one year initially and is part of a broader push to improve public transport access and tackle rural isolation.
To qualify, eligible young people must apply for a free mytravelpass, with applications opening on 21 July via mytravelpass.tfw.wales.
From 3 November, the scheme will be extended to include children aged five to 15. Until then, existing reduced fares for children will remain in place.
Welsh Government investment
A total of £15 million will be allocated over two financial years (2025–26 and 2026–27) to support the £1 fare scheme for 16 to 21-year-olds. A further £7 million will support the extension to five to 15-year-olds.
The investment is part of a budget agreement between the Welsh Government and the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds MS.
Ministers welcome launch
Speaking at the launch event at Newport Bus Station, First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“Cutting the cost of travel for young people and providing better transport for all is one of our top priorities. We are delivering on our promises to young people across Wales.
“This investment will make a real difference to communities all over Wales, especially in rural areas.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, added: “I am delighted to be launching a scheme that offers affordable bus travel for young people to help them access education, training, employment, and leisure.
“It also supports our wider goals of reducing carbon emissions, increasing public transport use, and tackling poverty. I urge all eligible young people to sign up for their mytravelpass from 21 July, so they’re ready to benefit when the scheme starts on 1 September.”
Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds MS, said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government is implementing this key Welsh Liberal Democrat policy to help young people with the cost of public transport.
“So many young people have told me what a difference both the £1 single and £3 daily tickets will make to their lives when the scheme launches in September.
“This policy – along with initiatives like free childcare hours for two-year-olds – shows the real impact the Welsh Liberal Democrats are already having on people’s lives across Wales.
“Today’s launch is an important reminder of why the Welsh Liberal Democrats put party politics to one side in order to pass the Welsh Government’s budget.
“These policies are just the beginning of our ambition for Wales, and we’re determined to deliver even more to help build the fair, caring, and prosperous country we all want to see.”
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.
Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.
The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:
- Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
- Common assault
- Assault by beating
No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.
Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.
Crime
Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges
Defendant remanded in custody
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.
David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- A second count of assault
- Criminal damage
- An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
- A public order offence
Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.
Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”
A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.
The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.
Crime
Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults
Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing
A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.
Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.
During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.
Charges Include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Intentional non-fatal strangulation
- Common assault on a woman
- Criminal damage in a domestic context
- Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
- Breach of bail conditions
Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.
Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.
No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.
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