Following the decision to reduce the X19 Bus Service between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog without any public consultation, and numerous concerns having been raised by constituents, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has put pressure on both Conwy County Borough Council and Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, in calling for a stabilisation of services and a consultation of the communities affected.
Janet said:
“The reduction of bus services along the X19 route is an extremely serious issue.
“Whilst a temporary solution has been implemented to facilitate the return journey of Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy’s pupils to Blaenau Ffestiniog, I am extremely disappointed that the officers at both Conwy and Gwynedd councils did not foresee this.
“What is even more frustrating is that there has not been any public consultation on what the revised times ought to be. Indeed, residents have been given no say, even though it is they who use and rely on the service.
“From correspondence with constituents who live all along the route, I know that the change is threatening the viability of a business, people’s jobs, and ability to see their GP.
“Whilst I am still awaiting a full response from the local authority, I welcome the fact that Cllr Liz Roberts, Cabinet Member, is mounting pressure from within the Council too.
“Going forward, I hope to see an increase in bus services through the Welsh Government introducing a TrawsCymru link between Betws-y-Coed and Dolgellau, and by both Gwynedd and Conwy giving communities affected a chance to have their say on what should not only be a financial, but a democratic decision”.
ENDS
Documents:
- Letter from Janet Finch-Saunders AM to Mr Gethin George, Senior Public Transport Officer, Conwy County Borough Council
Written Assembly Question by Janet:
Will the Cabinet Secretary state by when the TrawsCymru bus service should be running between Betws-y-Coed and Dolgellau? (WAQ77368)
Response by Ken Skates AM:
We have no immediate plans to introduce a new TrawsCymru bus service linking Betws–y-Coed and Dolgellau. However, given the recent changes to commercially operated bus services on this corridor, I have asked officials to discuss with the relevant local authorities how the local bus network might be stabilised, and further improved where possible.
Reply by Janet:
Further to WAQ77368 will the Cabinet Secretary prioritise plans for introducing a TraswCymru bus service linking Betws-y-Coed and Dolgellau, and outline what financial support the Welsh Government might be able to offer both Gwynedd and Conwy Councils maintain the bus link between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog?
Notes:
'Vital' X19 Blaenau Ffestiniog bus service given lifeline
Lifeline for threatened Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno bus service