New Fleming Way development hailed as ‘transformational’
The bus boulevard is set to open on 31 August
The new Fleming Way interchange in Swindon has been hailed as ‘transformational’ by a major bus company in Swindon.
Stagecoach, which is one of two major bus providers in the town, is the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, with a fleet of 8,400 vehicles connecting over 100 major towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales.
When the new bus boulevard opens on 31 August, the company is set to run nearly 1,000 services a week from the stops.
Chris Hanson, Managing Director of Stagecoach West, told Greatest Hits Radio: “This is absolutely transformational to what we do in Swindon for two big reasons.
“Firstly, for our customers. This is just so much better than the bus station. What we need is somewhere where customers feel that getting the bus is a positive experience and this is absolutely going to do that.
“But also for our staff who were based at the bus station for the last thirty years and actually, that facility for our staff has not been good.
“Stagecoach is right at the heart of our community and this allows us to look after our staff and look after our customers and make the bus an even better option when interchanging either to go to the shops or go on the train.
“It’s a fantastic facility and we’re really excited.”
The new interchange is replacing the existing terminus and will see 14 Stagecoach services operating from the new interchange, connecting the town centre to a variety of neighbourhoods as well as nearby towns like Highworth, Chippenham, Devizes and Cheltenham.
The £33m pound project was funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (£25m), the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund (£3m) and Swindon Borough Council (£5m) and took almost three years to complete.
Its new bus shelters have been designed to be more easily accessible for those in wheelchairs and are complete with wireless charging, digital screens and solar panels.
Councillor Chris Watts, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “It’s great to see the transformational impact Fleming Way has had on this part of the town centre.
“This was a hugely complex and challenging scheme to deliver, but our project team has done a fantastic job and the improvements are there for all to see.
“We now have a modern, accessible, green interchange which has created a safer and more welcoming environment for visitors and shoppers alike.
“We will also now be able to demolish the run-down bus station as we continue with our plans to breathe new life into the town centre through our Heart of Swindon vision by building a new town centre entertainment venue next to Fleming Way.
“This scheme has already acted as a catalyst for nearby landlords to invest millions of pounds in their own asses, and I am very much looking forward to seeing that continue in the years ahead.”
While there is currently no ticket office yet, a customer ambassador will be present at Fleming Way on a daily basis to aid bus users with their queries.
The ticket office is set to open by the end of the year.