Bus operator Stagecoach has announced its bus fleet in Wales will be reduced by 10% from July this year.
The company has said a number of services will be cut across its network from July 20 this year in Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
In Caerphilly County Borough five services will be axed altogether while a further four routes will have frequencies reduced.
Stagecoach has said the cuts are the result of a reduction in funding from the Welsh Government.
The company is also consulting with trade union representatives over the planned closure of its Brynmawr depot from July.
The depot currently employs 77 staff and operates around 30 vehicles.
In February this year, the Welsh Government confirmed a three-year funding package of £189m for its free bus travel scheme across Wales. The budget has been cut by more than 11% from the £213.3m package provided over the past three years.
The scheme provides free travel to more than 720,000 concessionary pass holders in Wales, including armed forces’ personnel and veterans. Under the scheme, bus operators in Wales should be reimbursed for the full costs of participating in the compulsory scheme.
John Gould, Managing Director of Stagecoach in South Wales, said: “Make no mistake – ultimate responsibility for the loss of bus services and jobs lies firmly at the door of the Welsh Government following years of cuts to bus investment.
“We deeply regret the impact this will have on our customers and local communities. Instead of protecting and supporting bus travel, ministers’ misguided decisions have dealt a body blow to the country’s public transport network and wider economy. People across Wales have repeatedly warned the government about the consequences of their actions, but sadly they have refused to listen.”
Mr Gould added: “We are continuing to consult trade union representatives on the planned closure of Brynmawr. We hope to retain an outstation at the depot, with fewer staff, and will try to redeploy as many people as possible elsewhere within our South Wales business.”
The planned cancellations and reductions to Stagecoach services in Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda Cynon Taf, are due to take effect from July 20.
Last month Stagecoach said it would consider legal action over the way the Welsh Government decided to cut £24m from the concessionary scheme’s budget.
Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert said he has written to Stagecoach to request a meeting over the potential cuts to services.
Service withdrawals in Caerphilly County Borough
Route X16 Risca to Cardiff
Route 7 Blackwood – Ystrad Mynach – Pontypridd
Route C16 Caerphilly to Nelson
Route C17 Bargoed to Caerphilly
Route 538 Blackwood to Penybryn
Frequency reductions in Caerphilly County Borough
Route X15 – Brynmawr to Newport (from every 30mins to hourly)
Route X – Senghenydd to Cardiff reduced frequency in morning, afternoon service withdrawn
Routes 1/2/3 – Merthyr to Bargoed (one bus withdrawn)
Route R1 – Risca to Newport (from every 20mins to 30mins)