Passengers of the Cardiff Bus 98 service, which runs between Highlight Park and King’s Square, Barry have been calling for an extension of the service’s timetable as it currently finishes at 2.31pm.
Following Highlight Park residents’ protest at the bus stop on Lakin Drive, Cardiff Bus agreed to meet with Vale MP Alun Cairns, lead campaigner Elwyn Toozer and Vale of Glamorgan Councillors, Leighton Rowlands and Vincent Bailey to discuss the future of the service. The meeting came after an amendment of Cardiff Bus’ Barry timetables. However these adjustments did not include the requested extension to the 98 service.
At the meeting, Cardiff Bus representative Richard Davies explained that the 98 service currently finishes early in the afternoon due to the same drivers and coaches being required to transport pupils home from the local schools after 3pm. Cardiff Bus agreed that they would consider extending the 98 service during the school holidays, although this would not be a realistic prospect until summer 2018.
Following the meeting, Cardiff Bus have been calculating the sum of money required to extend a range of widely used services in Barry. When these are finalised Cardiff Bus will present the figures to the Welsh Government and the Local Authority for consideration.
Vale MP Alun Cairns said, “I want the 98 service to be extended and this is my priority. I want as many passengers as possible to use this service during the hours that it currently runs to help me make the case for extension”
“The formula used by the Welsh Government means that the bus companies, such as Cardiff Bus, receive less funding than they would in England. I am also frustrated that the Welsh Government pay less to Cardiff Bus when a pensioner travels. This is not fair and disadvantages communities where there is a higher proportion of older people.”
“Our priority has to be focused on extending the service and increasing the use. This is a partnership between the community and Cardiff Bus.”
Councillor Rowlands commented, "I am pleased that we were able to meet with Cardiff Bus to discuss the possibility of an extension to the 98's timetable. I look forward to receiving the figures from them as agreed, in order that Alun, Elwyn, Councillor Bailey and I can push our campaign to the next stage."
Councillor Bailey added, ““Bus services are a vital lifeline for Barry residents and services like the 98 are suffering because they are useless to people who need to travel outside of the morning. We need an afternoon service so that Highlight Park residents can also use the bus to get to and from work.”
Further changes to the Cardiff Bus services in Barry are expected to take place in January 2018 however no timetable extensions have been confirmed.