FANS who are looking to get into Cardiff for the rugby this weekend are able to make use of a special coach service.

On Saturday, November 5, Wales kick off their Autumn Series with a match against New Zealand at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

However, due to ongoing rail strikes by Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT), Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Unite, there will be no trains into the capital from most of Wales, with only a very limited service running on some select lines from Newport and the South Wales Valleys into the capital, but there will be no trains at all after the match.

Transport for Wales – who is not involved in the strikes but unable to run services on the Network Rail infrastructure - has previously urged rugby fans to not travel by train and to find other options.

The WRU has partnered with Big Green Coach to provide carbon-neutral return journeys from a number of locations in Wales and England.

One of these locations is Llanelli, so fans across Carmarthenshire will have a pickup point should they need to – however, it is advised to book the coach early.

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There are 22 locations for pick up including Llanelli which are Bath, Birmingham, Builth Wells, Brecon, Bridgend, Bristol, Colwyn Bay, Ebbw Vales, Gloucester, Llanelli, London (Victoria Coach Station), Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouth, Neath, Newbridge, Newport, Pontypool, Port Talbot, Reading, Swansea, Swindon, Worcester and Wrexham.

Ticked start at £28 for a return journey.

TfW are also putting on coach travel but only from Abercynon Railway Station car park and Pontypridd Railway Station. Again, these must be booked in advance and existing rail tickets are not valid on the service.

Mark Williams Principality Stadium Manager says: “Since we were made aware of the industrial action, we have been working closely with our partners at Cardiff Council, Transport for Wales, and Welsh Government to ensure this fixture remains accessible and a number of measures have been introduced to help supporters. A Wales home fixture against New Zealand at Principality Stadium is always a fantastic experience, and we are looking forward to welcoming another magnificent occasion at the opening match of the Autumn Nations Series, but we also urge supporters to allow plenty of time to get into the city and plan their journeys in advance.” 

Big Green Coach Director Danny Newby says: “We are delighted to be in a position to assist the WRU get fans to the game during the rail strike. We appreciate that getting to the game can be stressful, especially with train not being an option, so we have organised a large number of coaches and we look forward to welcoming the fantastic fans onboard.”

To book the Big Green Coach travel: https://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/events/wales-v-new-zealand-coach-travel-to-principality-stadium-cardiff

To book the TfW travel: www.tfw.wales/places/events/wales-v-new-zealand