Bus Users in Wales has published the results of three drop-in sessions held in areas hit by the withdrawal of Llew Jones Coaches’ T19 services Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno serving the Conwy Valley in Gwynedd and Conwy.
The events, run in partnership with Conwy Council, Gwynedd Council, Transport for Wales and Welsh Government were held in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Dolwyddelan and Llanrwst. Rural deprivation and an ageing population has led to a heavy reliance on bus services with local communities now struggling to access essential services, education, employment and leisure activities.
Unsurprisingly, the main concern raised by local residents was over the frequency of bus services and the lack of evening and Sunday services, leaving many people unable to get to healthcare appointments at hospitals, GPs, optometrists and dentists. Shops and banks are also difficult to access and there are fears that the lack of services to and from schools and Coleg Llandrillo could affect the future opportunities for young people in the area.
Anyone looking to travel from rural areas to towns for work face limited and unreliable services with few, if any buses, operating outside of normal working hours. The resulting impact on shift work has been considerable with a local care home reporting daily struggles for staff attempting to get to and from work.
Rail replacement services were widely seen as confusing and inadequate and many people want to see better integration between bus and rail services and ticketing to increase travel options and potentially reduce costs. There was also a need for better information generally and in a range of formats to prevent digital exclusion.
According to Barclay Davies, Bus Users Director for Wales, the effects of transport poverty can be far-reaching: “Buses ensure people can lead active and fulfilling lives so the loss of such vital services will have a huge impact on local communities. The costs of loneliness and social isolation are significant and very often outweigh the cost of providing the bus service.â€
Read the report in full:
Digwyddiadau Ymgynghori Bus Users yn Nyffryn Conwy 2023
Conwy Valley Consultations 2023