Merthyr bus services cut due to driver shortages
Anthony Lewis, local democracy reporter
There is going to be a reduction in bus services from Stagecoach serving Merthyr Tydfil due to a shortage of staff.
The council has said that Stagecoach has confirmed that some of its services to and from the Merthyr Tydfil bus station will see significant changes from Sunday, May 29, because of staff shortages.
A number of buses have been cancelled, with other services covering their routes – but there will be an overall reduction.
The council said that Stagecoach explained that the changes are unavoidable due to driver shortages, especially in the Merthyr Tydfil area.
They added that the company is actively trying to recruit new drivers and will look to reintroduce some or increase frequency in some areas should the situation improve.
Changes
Service changes across Merthyr Tydfil and Bargoed include:
Service X4 will no longer run.
Service T4 will cover all journeys on the X4 route between Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff with buses running up to every 30 minutes
Service 78 will cover all journeys on the X4 route between Merthyr Tydfil and Abergavenny with buses running up to every hour.
Services 78, 79 and 81 will run up to every 15 minutes between Merthyr Tydfil and Troedyrhiw and up to 30 minutes between Merthyr Tydfil and Treharris to “improve the reliability of the services and provide better connections with other services.”
Service 2 Merthyr Tydfil – Bargoed will no longer run, with services 1 and 3 covering all stops on the Service 2 route.
Services’ 23, 27, 33, 35 and 38 timetables have been changed to “improve reliability.”
Service 25 will run up to every hour.
Services 78A and 35A will no longer run.
Service 35A currently extends to Tai’r Twyniau every two hours, but this part of the Pant service will no longer operate.
Service 25 Cefn – Trefechan is being reduced from half-hourly to hourly.
Stagecoach said on its website: “We are continuing to review our network to make sure we keep our customers moving.
“We are working closely with the Welsh Government and local authorities to maintain the widest network of services possible.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
4 Billiom over run on rosario a service that will only benefit the South East of England and there is no support for essential services in Wales.
Wales would do far better to be independent! Discuss.
The main reason the new bus station beingbuilt where it is now sited is because it is nearer to the railway station, that was the reason given by Merthyr council.
It was obvious to everyone in Merthyr the new bus station was going to be a massive waste of money because the metro rail network would mean there wouldn’t be the same need for buses and bus drivers.
Does anyone who works in the civic centre have a brain?. Apparently not.