£84.6m support package for bus services announced

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A support package worth £84.6 million will be distributed among bus companies in Wales to help them navigate through the coronavirus pandemic.

The funding comes from Welsh Government, which has invested around £140m into the bus industry this year.

John Pockett, Director of CPT Cymru, which represents bus operators in Wales, welcomed the funding and said: “The bus industry has faced a catastrophic decline in passenger numbers and revenues as a result of this awful pandemic.

“Working with our partners in the Welsh Government and local authorities, bus operators want to increase services for passengers as activities and the economy start to resume.

“This financial support is a great boost in that aim for the coming months.”
Meanwhile, bus company Stagecoach has announced changes to its services to “improve connections”.

Nigel Winter, managing director of Stagecoach in south Wales, said: “We continue to listen to customer feedback and monitor passenger volumes to improve connections across our bus network to get key workers and students where they need to be.

“We will continue to work with Welsh Government and local authorities to ensure we target services where they are needed the most.

“The safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority. With the extensive measures we have taken and the support of our passengers, they can be confident our buses are clean, safe and ready to go.”

Caerphilly’s Senedd Member, Hefin David, said: “We are now seeing more funding – a portion of which will further benefit our local services and increase capacity on public transport.”

“I have received a number of concerns from constituents regarding bus services and I am pleased that Welsh Government and Caerphilly Council have been able to work proactively with bus operators to use this funding to improve the level of service on many routes.”

For more information on Stagecoach bus timetables, visit stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-wales/urgent-service-changes-covid19-2020