Changes to bus services From Monday 9th September 2013 and ...

Changes to bus servicesFrom Monday 9 th September 2013 and Sunday services from 15 th September 2013 therewill be changes to some bus services within Caerphilly county borough.This leaflet provides a summary of changes to all services.Why are bus services being changed and by whom?Since deregulation in 1986, bus services are provided on a commercial basis by privateoperators. They are free to introduce, change or cancel a bus service providing they give56 days’ notice to the Traffic Commissioner. Most services within the county borough areprovided in this way and the Council has no power to influence routes, timetables, faresor other operational matters. However the Council does work with operators to ensurepassengers gain the maximum benefit from the network.Where services cannot be provided commercially or where the network does not meetspecific needs, the Council can provide financial assistance to operators either from theCouncil’s own budget or from the Local Transport Services Grant (LTSG) issued to theCouncil from the Welsh Government.Unfortunately, in the current financial climate, the Council is experiencing unprecedentedfinancial pressures and has been forced to review the network of local bus services itsupports. For 2013 / 14, the Welsh Government has reduced the Council’s LTSGallocation by over 25%, whilst the Council has also been forced to reduce revenuesupport for local bus services as part of its Medium Term Financial Plan.How did the Council decide which services to change or cancel?To make the savings required, all supported services were reviewed based on thesubsidy needed against the number of passengers carried. Those services receiving asubsidy per passenger in excess of £3.50 were identified for change or withdrawal.A schedule of the proposals was prepared for consideration by local Councillors, alongwith town and community councils and community partnerships. These were consideredby Scrutiny Committee and endorsed by Cabinet on 4 th June 2013.Whilst the financial reduction represents a 15% cut in total subsidy payments to busoperators, the changes will impact on less than 3% of the total passengers carried onservices supported by the Council.Changes made by bus operators.Changes to routes C8, C9, C16, C17 & 538 have been made by the bus operatorsStagecoach in South Wales and Harris Coaches to improve reliability and to reflectchanging passenger demand.

1 Bargoed – Fochriw – Pontlottyn – Rhymney – Merthyr TydfilMonday to Saturday eveningsEvening journeys operated by Stagecoach will operate on a reduced frequency. The1915 & 2215 departures from Merthyr Tydfil and the 2025 & 2225 departures fromBargoed will be withdrawn after operation on Saturday 7 September. A new journey willdepart Bargoed Interchange at 2305 and operate as far as Pontlottyn arriving at 2328.Sundays and Bank HolidaysThe hourly service on Sundays will be reduced to two hourly. Therefore the followingjourneys will be withdrawn after operation on Sunday 8 September 2013. 1116, 1316,1516, 1716 from Bargoed and 1205, 1405, 1605, 1811 from Merthyr Tydfil. All otherjourneys remain.2 Bargoed – Phillipstown – Pontlottyn – Rhymney – Merthyr TydfilAll Sunday journeys will be withdrawn after operation on Sunday 8 September 2013.4 Tredegar – Rhymney – Pontlottyn – Brithdir – Bargoed – Ystrad MynachMonday to Saturday eveningsEvening journeys operated by Stagecoach will operate on a reduced frequency and atrevised times. The 1920 & 2120 departures from Ystrad Fawr Hospital will be withdrawnafter operation on Saturday 7 September. The 2020 & 2220 departures will be revised todepart at 2005 & 2205 and operate up to 15 minutes earlier throughout.From Tredegar the 2020 & 2220 journeys will be withdrawn after operation on Saturday7 September. The 1920 & 2120 departures will be revised to depart at 1905 & 2105 andoperate up to 15 minutes earlier throughout.The 1820 journey from Tredegar will operate at 1815 and operate 5 minutes earlierthroughout and the 1856 journey from Pontlottlyn will be revised to 1840 and operate upto 15 minutes earlier throughout.Sundays and Bank HolidaysAll Sunday journeys will be withdrawn after operation on Sunday 8 September 2013.Please see route 1 for journeys between Rhymney, Pontlottyn and Bargoed and route50 for journeys between Bargoed and Ystrad Mynach.5 Blackwood – Oakdale – Newbridge – PantsideAll Sunday journeys between Newbridge and Pantside will be withdrawn after operationon Sunday 8 September 2013.Morning journeys via Penyfan Industrial Estate previously proposed for withdrawal willcontinue to be provided Stagecoach in South Wales on a commercial basis. Thecontinuation of these journeys will be subject to satisfactory usage.7 Blackwood – Ystrad Mynach – Nelson – Treharris – PontypriddThe 1900 & 2100 journeys from Blackwood and the 1945 & 2145 journeys fromPontypridd will be withdrawn after operation on Saturday 7 September 2013.

Bargoed & Penybryn.• Journeys will no longer serve Tesco in Ystrad Mynach – see route 538.C18 Barged - Gilfach Estate• The 1812, 2005 & 2205 journey will be withdrawn after operation on Saturday 7September 2013.X16 Newbridge - Risca – Cardiff• The journeys from Newbridge at 1815 & 2045 and from Cardiff at 1925 & 2155will be withdrawn after operation on Saturday 7 September 2013.X18 Ebbw Vale – Newbridge – Risca – Newport• New journey at 0545 from Newbridge to Newport• New journey at 0630 from Newport which becomes the 0705 from Risca.JCaerphilly - Rudry• The 2030 departure from Caerphilly and the 2043 departure from Rudry will bewithdrawn after operation on Saturday 7 September 2013.