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A Stagecoach bus driver has told Caerphilly Observer that drivers were given a “point blank no” when they asked for more time to complete their routes following the 20mph rollout.

The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, said staff approached the commercial department at Stagecoach before the rollout on Sunday September 17 with concerns over the time it would now take drivers to complete routes.

They continued: “We were told point blank ‘no’. Drivers already have certain routes which need additional time and that’s before you consider the speed change.

“Buses are already late through no fault of our own and this is only going to get worse of course. We’re warning passengers that it’s out of our hands.”

The response comes after Stagecoach told Caerphilly Observer before the new law was implemented that it would not be adjusting its timetable, and bus journey times would not be affected by the rollout.

A Stagecoach spokesperson told us: “We support steps to deliver safer roads and journeys in our communities. At the same time, it is critical that the Welsh Government pursues a set of transport policies that work together and not in isolation, ensuring there are no unintended consequences that undermine other objectives.

“The best way to ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users, as well as delivering smoother and faster journeys for bus passengers and protecting the long-term sustainability of greener bus travel is by ensuring that buses have priority on road infrastructure over cars.” 

The Stagecoach employee believes the bus firm is not making the necessary adjustments due to costs.

They explained: “It will cost extra to produce the timetables and re-register the drivers. It will cost them more to pay the drivers themselves as they’ll be working longer, and it will also cost them more to pay the drivers at the station who are waiting in between routes which are late.”

When asked directly about the points made by the anonymous driver, Stagecoach declined to comment, but reiterated a previous statement: “There are no planned changes to services at present but our teams continue to monitor our routes with a view to making changes where necessary”.

The driver also went on to say: “At the end of the day, drivers aren’t going to risk their licence and get a speeding fine to meet deadlines. But then equally we’re going to get in trouble when we’re late.

“Everything falls on the driver. It’s us who gets the abuse from passengers when the bus is late and the company are not being proactive in helping us out.

“This new law is only going to make our lives more difficult and Stagecoach will need to address it as soon as possible if it wants to keep the drivers and public happy.”