Scrapped bus services to return, Stagecoach confirms

Three bus services axed at the start of the year are set to return this spring.

The R1 bus service, which connects Risca and Newport, is among the services set to return, alongside the R2 service, which connects the Tesco store in Risca with the Morrisons store in Rogerstone.

Meanwhile, the 56 bus, which runs between Newport and Tredegar, will no longer serve Ty Sign, reverting back to its previous timetable.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach South Wales said: “We always welcome feedback, ideas and suggestions from our customers, employees and stakeholders.

“We work closely with all local authorities to ensure the vast majority of local services are running and to keep customers connected across our most popular routes.

“We have listened to the feedback from the MS and local councillors and can confirm that Services R1, R2 and 56 will revert back to the previous routing by the end of May 2023. 

“We will continue to keep our passengers regularly updated on our website and social media channels.”

Islwyn’s Labour Senedd Member, Rhianon Passmore, said she was “delighted that Stagecoach have listened to the people”.

Ms Passmore, a former councillor for the Risca East ward, paid tribute to the current Risca East councillors Nigel George, Arianna Leonard and Philippa Leonard for their work on the issue.

Ms Passmore said: “Great credit must go to the Risca East Labour councillors who organised public meetings, collated residents’ experiences, and the determination of the community of Risca that they would not accept the changes.”

She continued: “I wish to thank Stagecoach for constructively engaging with myself and the Risca East Labour councillors on this matter. Common sense has prevailed and the residents of Risca will, from late May, see a full reinstatement of bus services.”