Pontypridd

 

Please Note:  Staff travelling to the University of South Wales should note that car parking is very limited at all campuses, particularly at the start of the autumn term.

The University strongly recommends that you consider alternative travel arrangements to driving wherever possible. All campuses are serviced by regular public transport links and are easily accessible by road.

Bus Travel

At the Treforest Campus, bus stops are located outside the main campus on Llantwit Road and Brook Street. 

Near the Glyntaff Campus, bus stops are located on Pentrebach Road and Cardiff Road.

Bus Routes and Timetables

Further details of bus routes and timetables can be obtained from Traveline Cymru

Please note: deadline for applications to the 34% discount has been extended to the end of February, after which it will revert to 5%.

Travelling by Train:

Treforest station is just five minutes walk from the Treforest and Glyntaff campuses.

Annual Train Season Ticket Discounts for USW Group Staff:

5% Discount on Annual Train Season Tickets - Transport for Wales Line Service

As part of the USW Group Travel Plan and in conjunction with Transport for Wales, we are able to offer a 5% discount on Staff Annual Train Season Tickets. Discount is across all of Transport for Wales Lines route services. A list of up-to-date times be found on the Transport for Wales website. 

  • To calculate your individual journey prices visit the following National Rail Enquiries web page Season Ticket Calculator
  • Enter the station that you are traveling to and from and this will calculate the non discounted price. To get your discounted price calculate 34% of the non discounted price. You will need to round up to the nearest 10 pence.
  • Once the completed application form has been signed by your Line Manager and a copy emailed to Estates Helpdesk, then the completed form should be emailed to Transport for Wales. TFW will then contact the staff member in order to confirm cost and provide bank details for payment. You will then be contacted with the cost of the ticket and provided with TFW with their bank details, staff can make a faster payment using mobile or internet banking, alternatively TFW can accept debit/credit card payment over the telephone or cheques can be posted to their department at head office.
  • When the passenger is ready to submit the request you will need to complete the form on the request form. Our Company ID is USW-2019-TFWBT 
  • When payment is confirmed the ticket will be processed and posted free of charge to the address of choice. Any requests for change-overs or refunds of unwanted tickets should be submitted directly to the Business Travel team, any issues with the season ticket for example failure to work the barriers etc can be resolved at the local booking office. 

 

Once you have confirmed the price of your ticket with the station simply fill out one of the application forms below.  There is the option to pay for this upfront with Transport for Wales, or to pay for the ticket in 10 monthly instalments by applying for an interest free loan with the University.  

USW Group 5% Discount Staff Annual Train Season Ticket WITHOUT LOAN POLICY & APPLICATION FORM (NO LOAN) 
USW Group Staff 5% Discount Annual Train Season Ticket LOAN POLICY & APPLICATION FORM (WITH LOAN)

The interest free loan is only available to staff with a minimum of 10 months employment to cover the initial cost of the season tickets.  This must be approved by your Line Manager and Payroll. The loan is repayable in 10 monthly installments. 

Once completed and authorised, present this form, together with valid staff ID, a passport sized photo and your payment to any staffed station within the Valley Lines route.

Intercampus Travel
The University has arranged a shuttle bus service between the sites of our Pontypridd Campus, click here for the Timetable.

Cycling to the University is easy thanks to a comprehensive network of cycle and bridlepaths connecting with Cardiff from all directions. For full details on the National Cycle Network routes visit Sustrans

Bicycle shelters and stands:
The cycle shelters outside K & J Block are secured with a lockable gate. To obtain access for the gate, first complete a Bicycle Registration Scheme Form.  Access will be added to your card soon after completing the form.

If you have any problems contact Estates Security.

Showers and lockers:
Lockers are available in the cycle shelter and free showers are available in B Block, Sport Centre and Tramshed.

Cyclescheme:
USW Staff are eligible to take part in Cyclescheme Salary Sacrifice Scheme. You can save 25% of the cost of a bike and pay for it out of your salary in instalments over a year saving the tax and NI. There are a large number of bike shops that are registered with Cyclescheme.  To find out more or take part in the scheme follow the steps below:

  • Visit the USW Cyclescheme link
  • Enter your postcode into the relevant section of the Cyclescheme web page to find your nearest registered bike shop
  • Prior to completing the "Take the next Step" section on the Cyclescheme web site please visit a shop, choose a bike and obtain a quote. 
  • Enter the details from the quote onto the web page. 

For further information on how the scheme works please contact Payroll. 

 

  • Please note: Halfords do not operate under Cyclescheme.  They have their own Cycle2Work scheme.

Under the rules for salary sacrifice the arrangement for Cycle Scheme cannot reduce an employee’s cash earnings below the National Minimum Wage rates, as confirmed by the HMRC Website.

Reconditioned Bikes, Bike Hire & Cycle Training:
Keeping Cardiff Moving provide a selection of reconditioned bikes at a reduced rate, bike hire and cycle training facilities, just visit the Keeping Cardiff Moving website for more information. 

Bicycle Registration Scheme:
The Estates and Facilities Department have set up a Bicycle Registration Scheme. Staff that cycle to the University can register their details with a description of their bicycle, enhancing the probability of bike recovery should it be lost or stolen.

Discounts:

We have negotiated discounts with some local bike shop providers:  
EC Cycles have a set rate of 10% discount in store if you provide ID.  However if you are a loyal customer, they offer 15% discount.
DT Bicycles offer student discount with a valid NUS Extra card.

Walking
One of the most important changes everyone can make to the parking issues at the University is to walk between campuses instead of driving. The most direct route from Treforest campus to Glyntaff is:-

  • Leave Treforest campus via the Brook Street entrance, and turn right down Brook Street. 
  • Cross over the road and at the end turn left so that you are walking towards the station. 
  • Go into the station and cross over the railway using the pedestrian bridge. 
  • Once out of the station, cross over the road and walk down Castle Street (side street with Pink Shop on the corner). 
  • At the end of the road, cross over (Caution: Local residents have indicated this crossing point as one where extra care should be taken) the street and use the pedestrian crossing over the River Taff. 
  • Once over the river, turn left following the footpath alongside the river. 
  • Cross over the road at the end, and bear right so that you cross the closed slip roads. 
  • Follow the path up through the grass verge, and at the top of this small hill, cross over the road, and take the hard right turn into Cemetery Road. 
  • The Glyntaff campus is on the right-hand side.


Travel Apps:
Whether you want to try out new routes, strive to be faster, want to face a challenge, have better endurance or improve fitness, walkers, runners and cyclists can use a number of applications, including the following:
Mapmywalk
Runkeeper
Cyclingbuddy