A number of bus routes have been saved across Caerphilly County Borough weeks after Stagecoach announced they were cutting routes, blaming funding cuts.
But the 538 between Blackwood and Penybryn is to be cut and a reduced service will operate on the C17 between Caerphilly and Bargoed after July 19.
Caerphilly County Borough Council has been working alongside local company Harris Coaches, who will replace a large number, but not all of these journeys.
Cllr Tom Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transportation and Engineering said: “Concerns were raised following the announcement that a number of bus routes across our county borough would cease operating from July this year, therefore I am delighted that discussions with Mr Harris of local company Harris Coaches have meant that a large number of these routes will be able to continue running.
“For such a large number of our residents, regular bus services running through their communities are a real lifeline, and we look forward to working with Harris Coaches in providing these key replacement services for our residents.”
John Harris, Managing Director of Harris Coaches, said, “We’re pleased to deliver these important services to the residents of Caerphilly County Borough and beyond.
“We recognise the importance of regular public bus services for access to education, employment, health services and essential shopping.
“Significant financial investment and our team of 40 drivers, engineers and administration staff look to the continued support of local customers to help maintain and develop these routes into the future.”
Details of the bus service changes are below:
7 Blackwood – Ystrad Mynach – Nelson – Treharris – Pontypridd
Stagecoach will withdraw the service after operation on Saturday 19 July 2014. From Monday 21st July, Harris Coaches will provide a replacement service to a revised timetable. The route between Blackwood and Quakers Yard is unchanged however all journeys will operate via A470 in both directions between Fiddler’s Elbow roundabout and Pontypridd instead of Cilfynydd.
The timetable has been changed with most buses departing Blackwood and Pontypridd at 45mins past each hour. Times for early morning and late afternoon journeys have been amended slightly to take into account traffic congestion.
11 Blackwood – Ystrad Mynach (Tesco) – Cefn Hengoed – Gelligaer
The new service will start on 21st July to replace some sections of route 538.
The service will operate from Blackwood via Maesycwmmer (main road), Ystrad Mynach Tesco, Hengoed, Cefn Hengoed and Gelligaer. Routes 7 and 11 combined will provide a half-hourly link between Blackwood and Ystrad Mynach Tesco.
538 Blackwood – Ystrad Mynach (Tesco) – Cefn Hengoed – Gelligaer – Penybryn
This service will be withdrawn in its entirety after operation on Saturday 19th July. Route 11 however will be able to be utilised for replacement links to Blackwood from Cefn Hengoed and Gelligaer
C16 Caerphilly – Ystrad Mynach – Gelligaer – Nelson
From 21st July, all Monday to Saturday daytime journeys will be operated by Harris Coaches rather than Stagecoach in South Wales.
All journeys departing Caerphilly from 18:20 (and Nelson from 18:50) will continue to be provided by Stagecoach in South Wales – return tickets purchased on Harris Coaches earlier in the day are valid for travel. Stagecoach in South Wales will continue to provide all Sunday journeys.
C17 Caerphilly – Ystrad Mynach – Gelligaer – Bargoed
All journeys that currently operate only between Penybryn and Bargoed (and vice-versa) will be withdrawn after operation on 19 July 2014. From 21 July 2014, all remaining journeys will be operated by Harris Coaches rather than Stagecoach in South Wales.