Council rejects claims of lack of passengers at multi million pound transport hub
Ted Peskett, local democracy reporter
A new bus service is set to run from a new multi million pound transport hub, amid claims hardly anyone is using the facility.
A bus service officially started serving the transport hub, next to Barry Docks railway station, from January, 2024, although phase one of the hub was completed in summer, 2023.
However, a number of residents, a travel blogger and the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) have noticed the facility to be almost deserted at times.
Travel blogger, Roger French, said on his website, Bus and Train User, that there were no other passengers using the B3 Adventure Travel service when he used it at the end of January.
The hub consists of secure bike parking, four bus shelters, and a taxi rank.
Landscaping work has also been done in the middle of the site and new segregated cycle paths link the site to the Ffordd Y Milleniwm route.
One passenger
When the LDRS went to report on the first day of the B3’s operation at Barry Transport Interchange on January 8, one passenger got on the bus that left the hub at 11.13am.
Other residents have commented on social media that the hub is “not being used” and labelled it “expensive” and “unnecessary”.
A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: “The Barry Transport Interchange is a long-term project that will develop over time as more services and facilities are added.
“A new bus service began using the Interchange from January, with another, operating between Barry and Penarth, set to join it in April.
“Transport for Wales also plan to increase the number of trains stopping at the location.”
New service
The new service at the hub will be Adventure Travel service number 88, which will start operating from April 2, according to the bus company.
The cost of developing the transport hub in 2023 was £2,696,108 in total.
A freedom of information request to Vale of Glamorgan Council shows that construction cost £1,682,224.20 and the design, project management and supervision of the scheme cost £1,013,884.37.
The scheme, partly funded by the Welsh Government and Cardiff Capital Region, could include a café and cycle hub in the future.
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As someone who relies on yet cannot rely on public transport in Wale, I understand that the construction of local hubs are just links in a chain. They won’t serve purpose until they’re all connected properly. Of course they needs to be recognised as long term projects that might not bare fruit for a while, but I think trying to prove or justify these projects by spending lavish amounts to show off the scale and ability of the site os putting the horse before the cart somewhat. Can we please just get some realistic links going and extend them as… Read more »
Trains, buses and bikes…
How much has De Cymru spent/splurged on its pet transport systems out of the whole of Cymru’s transport budget ?
What’s that, Rishi is going to fix it for us…
Don’t blame Rishi for Wales’ transport mess. Drakeford Waters & co are driving this particular “plan” to isolate us all into local enclaves unless you happen to be a privileged member of The Party or Y Blaid. Of course Rishi agrees with it all cos it’s cheaper than having a proper rail and road infrastructure in this western colony that he only uses to crack useless quips from time to time. Like all globalists he just sees Wales as a place for extraction and exploitation.
I was referring to the BS Billion for the North Wales line…a ruse to win votes…