Cardiff Metropolitan University’s MetRider service has been temporarily suspended due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While alternative public transport routes and free use of the nextbike network for Cardiff Met students and staff will be options for many, we understand the temporary suspension of MetRider will compromise the ability of some students and staff to access our University campuses. Alternatives to the MetRider service are detailed below.
We have undertaken an initial assessment of the impact of the suspension of the MetRider services but recognise that we need to consult with our staff and student body more widely to gain a fuller picture.
Cardiff Met takes it commitment to the advancement of equality, diversity and inclusion seriously in line with our University’s values driven approach. As part of our equality duty, we must assess the likely impact of proposed and reviewed policies and practices. This involves us assessing the impact on people who share protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation).
Students who are likely to be impacted by the suspension of the MetRider services due to a disability or some other health issue should contact the Student Wellbeing Service at
wellbeingsupport@cardiffmet.ac.uk and one of the team will work with them.
Staff should contact the OH Advisor at
occupationalhealth@cardiffmet.ac.uk . A meeting will then be arranged to discuss further.
All service users who purchased 2019-20 season tickets will be contacted directly by email.
Alternative options:
Walk
Walking from Plas Gwyn Walking to campus is a free, easy and quick method from the Halls of Residence which are located in close proximity to our campuses. Buddy up with some of your household to match timetables and walk together. Here’s the walk from Plas Gwyn to Llandaff Campus
Cycle
If you have your own bike then bring it to Uni and use it. Cardiff is an awesome city to cycle in and Cardiff Met won the Most Cycle Friendly Business award at the 2019 Cardiff Cycling Awards.
There are card-access dry cycle stores, maintenance stands, tools, lockers, showers and even cycle paths available on and around our campuses. Llandaff has dedicated facilities that are situated at the rear of the School of Art and Design. At Cyncoed facilities are located at the Tennis Centre.
Buddy up at 8:30am outside Plas Gwyn 0r Unite Receptions to ride together to Llandaff Campus in the Cardiff Met cycle convoy!
nextbike UK – Exciting news! This year we have confirmed that we have purchased 5,000 nextbike permits exclusively for Cardiff Met students to use! Its FREE for the first 30 minutes, every time you use one, as many times a day as you want, every day for a year! Llandaff Campus to City Centre is ten minutes on a nextbike. Cyncoed Campus to Roath/Cathays student areas is ten minutes on A nextbike.
We have stations on all campuses and near every Halls of Residence. You do need to deposit £5 but get that back if you leave the scheme. It is advisable to sanitise hand grips, bell and cpu etc when using a nextbike.
To register to use nextbike download the nextbike app or visit www.nextbike.co.uk/en/cardiff.
Remember to register with your University email address.
Bus
The Cardiff Bus app provides details of the bus network
across the city and allows users to purchase mobile tickets.
https://www.cardiffbus.com/mobile-tickets
If you are aged 16-21 you can reduce the cost of travel by a
third by applying for the Welsh Government’s My Travel Pass. Please note you
will need to apply though with a Welsh address as it’s only applicable for
travel in Wales. You will also need to show the card whenever they use the app
for a discounted ticket on board.
https://mytravelpass.gov.wales/en/
Please be aware that face coverings must be worn at
all times on Cardiff Bus services.
Catch the 52 service to get onto the Cyncoed Campus. It
drops off in front of the main building and runs every 20 minutes. Service
times and route is here:
https://www.cardiffbus.com/services/CB/52
Catch the 1 or 2 service that stop immediately outside
Llandaff Campus or the 25 which stops a few minutes’ walk away at either Howells
School or Llandaff Village.
https://www.cardiffbus.com/services/CB/1
https://www.cardiffbus.com/services/CB/2
https://www.cardiffbus.com/services/CB/25
Traveline Cymru is great to use to see how to get to campus.
Try it here:
https://www.traveline.cymru/
Taxi/Uber
Another option is to catch a taxi or an Uber to your campus
and share the cost among your household. An Uber from Roath/Cathays to Llandaff
Campus or Cyncoed Campus is about £8 each way. Remember though to only use
within your established household and wear a mask.
