New sustainable transport hub brings connectivity to Cardiff

A new £5.5million, state-of-the-art bus interchange, designed by BDP and operated by Transport for Wales has opened in Cardiff.

The centralised bus facility located next to Cardiff Central Railway Station creates a sustainable travel gateway to Cardiff, providing improved connections to the area by integrating bus and rail services with local walking routes, cycle ways and taxis.

Multidisciplinary design practice, BDP, provided architect and interior design, branding and wayfinding consultancy for the project which is part of the Welsh Government’s broader initiative to develop an integrated travel network for the people of Wales, making public transport the easiest choice for all.

Within the 2,235sqm interchange, the central feature is the bus terminus which includes 14 bus bays and ancillary space for retail, food and beverage outlets and public toilet facilities to enhance passenger comfort for onward travel. A mezzanine level houses Transport for Wales’s strategic operations centre for south Wales.

Central to BDP’s design is a focus on accessibility and inclusivity. Enhanced links between the bus interchange and the railway station are supported by clear wayfinding for a seamless travel experience. Features such as tactile flooring routes and a braille accessibility map assist blind and partially sighted customers and the interchange includes a changing places room and a fully equipped family room.

BDP’s collaborative approach saw the implementation of an extensive stakeholder engagement programme including consultations with the local authority, transport operators, service users, police, fire service, the local community and accessibility groups to ensure that the design meets the needs of all users.

Working with project manager and lead consultant Mott Macdonald, BDP addressed specialist security and fire safety design requirements. In addition, BDP conducted a complementary study which explored how the wider public realm around central Cardiff could be adapted to further improve connectivity between transport modes including active travel, wayfinding, technology, branding and green infrastructure.

Matthew Mayes, architect director at BDP, said: "It is fantastic to see the BDP designed Cardiff Bus Interchange now open. The contemporary facility showcases our commitment to integrated and sustainable transport. Our design is about meeting the needs of a whole community and bringing purpose and simplicity to public and active travel routes. We have championed clear wayfinding and accessibility, ensuring that all passengers can navigate from bus to rail, taxi and bicycle with ease.”

Marie Daly, Chief Customer and Culture Officer at Transport for Wales, said: “We worked with BDP to make sure that customers and their needs were at the heart of the design of Cardiff Bus Interchange. We wanted a modern, safe, accessible and inclusive interchange that will help us meet the transport needs of people and businesses across the city and the region.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from customers, stakeholders, partners, and bus operators on the design of the interchange, and it’s great to see how it’s already become part of so many customers’ daily journeys. We’re looking forward to welcoming more services and customers to the interchange later this year.

“The interchange is the next step in our wider plan for ‘Metro Central’, an integrated transport hub that will allow easy use and access to all modes of public transport on a ‘turn up and go’ basis in the heart of Cardiff.”