Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert has met with the boss of Stagcoach South Wales over cuts to bus services.
Stagecoach 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.
Service withdrawals in Caerphilly County Borough are: 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.
Frequencies will also be cut on: 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Newport (from every 30mins to hourly); Route X – Senghenydd to Cardiff reduced frequency in morning, afternoon service withdrawn; Routes 1/2/3 – Merthyr to Bargoed (one bus withdrawn); Route R1 – Risca to Newport (from every 20mins to 30mins).
Speaking after the meeting with Stagecoach’s Managing Director John Gould, Mr Cuthbert, who is also a Welsh Government Minister, said: “Service withdrawals are very regrettable for my constituents and it is clear that the decision to withdraw services has been made by Stagecoach on a commercial basis.
“It’s important that all avenues are explored and I hope that other service providers can come forward to at least part – operate along the affected routes.
“As the local AM I want to see as many bus routes safeguarded as possible.”
Speaking in April, when the service cuts were announced, Mr Gould said: “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.”
It was the Welsh Government that cut support to bus companies so as a Minister Jeff Cuthbert must have known the consequence of that decision. Restore the subsidy and get bus services back. The Welsh Government decides on its priorities based on what funds it has – and clearly has decided that bus supported services is a low priority.