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Swansea Metro service kicks-offSWANSEA'S Metro service kicks-off on June 1 with the introduction of the first FTR vehicle to take paying passengers. 
Metro operator First is beginning a phased introduction of the new FTR service with the whole fleet of nine vehicles expected to be running by the end of the summer. The decision to start with just one vehicle is deliberate and will allow the company and its partners time to complete a technical bedding-in period before all the vehicles come online. The first FTR vehicle will operate on Service 4 linking Morriston with Swansea City Centre and Singleton. It will run alongside regular service buses while First monitors how the vehicles interact on the new road layout in Swansea which includes the Landore express busway- a mile-long roadway which runs parallel to the railway line entering Swansea Railway Station. The company, along with Swansea Council, will then use the technical information gathered to fine-tune its services before gradually rolling out the full fleet over the next few months. An official launch of the service will then take place in September 2009. Tony McNiff, Managing Director of First Cymru, said: "It's great to see the first FTR metro on the road today. This has been a long time in the planning but it's all coming to fruition. This is great day for Swansea. I look forward to the end of the summer when all ten of the vehicles are on the road and will be carrying passengers to and from the places they want to go." Chris Holley, Leader of Swansea Council, said: "This is a big moment for public transport in Swansea. The first FTR carrying fare-paying passengers represents a new era for Swansea and for Wales. "The Council is committed to playing its part in encouraging local people to use public transport. The improvements we have carried out to our city's road network and bus stops will help facilitate punctual and swift FTR services. But the work will also support other bus and taxi services as well as improve the travelling experience for the thousands of passengers who use public transport in Swansea every day." Swansea FTR metro is a £14million package run in partnership by First Cymru and Swansea Council. Infrastructure works to support the vehicles were funded by a Welsh Assembly's Government Transport Grant while First spent about £4million purchasing 10 FTR vehicles as well as upgrading its depot in Swansea to accommodate the larger vehicles. For more information about First Cymru or to view timetable information, log onto www.firstgroup.com/ukbus
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This page last updated on June 1 2009