Bus operator Stagecoach has performed a U-turn on its decision to scrap its service from Caerphilly to the Heath Hospital.
From January next year the number 25 route will be reinstated for a six-month trial period.
However, instead of its original 30 minute frequency, the new temporary service will be every hour.
The bus route will include a stop at Thornhill crematorium, which is not served by the current number 86 service.
The extended 86 service saw journey times between Caerphilly town and the hospital increase by more than 30 minutes.
Caerphilly’s Assembly Member Hefin David and Member of Parliament Wayne David met with transport bosses before the service was axed in September to urge them to reconsider.
The two Labour politicians presented a total of four petitions to Stagecoach.
Dr David AM said he had been overwhelmed by the response from angry residents furious that the 25 service had stopped.
He said: “Many people do not have access to a car and from the feedback I’ve received it’s clear the biggest concern is not having a quick bus service direct to the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff.
“Stagecoach have gone some way to recognising the political and public pressure we’ve sought to bring with this campaign and their decision to reinstate a service from Caerphilly to UHW, which will also include a stop at Thornhill Crematorium, is an improvement.”
Wayne David MP welcomed the move, but added that it is too early to say whether Stagecoach has had a “real change of heart”.
Stagecoach said its original decision to scrap the service was a result of low passenger demand – much to the bemusement of users who reported the 25 as always being full.
Nigel Winter, Stagecoach South Wales managing director said: “We aim to have a draft alternative bus service timetable and routing for customer comment shortly, with a view to introduce from early January.”
He added: “We aim to improve the current service design with regard Caerphilly to UHW connectivity for customers.”
I for one will be pleased to see it’s return,even if it’s only hourly and doesn’t start until January.Will be great for visitors and workers alike!
The route should be reinstated a nd before next January. This is a vital bus route for the people of Caerphilly not just to the Heath Hospital. I’ve spoken to many people over the past two weeks and everyone is incensed by the lack of a decent service. I was on the bus from Cardiff today and only one person was from lisvane. This is a regular occurrence. With the winter months coming, it’s imperative that people don’t become isolated. Reinstate the 25 bus and half hourly service. We deserve nothing less.
I used to use this service regularly for clinic appointments in the Heath Hospital a couple of years ago and it was always packed too the extent that I frequently had to stand on the way back!
How Stagecoach can claim the service was under used is beyond me. Maybe volunteers could count numbers boarding and alighting the bus at Caerphilly interchange for a week or so to provide an accurate numbers of passengers.
I find it very sad that even people who want to visit the Crematorium were effected, surely there must be more important things than money and profit in our society ?
The number 25 bus should be reinstated as it always has been ie every half hour and before January. It’s a vital service.
Thrilled to bits. Thankyou Stagecoach. Am missing route 25 dreadfully. Really need this service to UHW. & also a service to Thornhill Cemetery, greatly required. THANKYOU. Hope in due course you will kindly increase service to half.hourly.
Does this include bus 25 in opposite direction. Cardiff to Caerphilly,?