Have your say on the future of local bus services

After warning that subsidies on some local bus services cannot continue due to ongoing cuts to public funding, Bridgend County Borough Council is inviting local residents to have their say on how bus services could be provided in the future.

During 2017/18 the council spent more than £614,000 supporting bus services that wouldn’t otherwise be commercially viable.

But, as the council continues to tackle multi-million-pound shortfalls in the amount of funding it receives, its budget for subsiding bus services is due to drop to £426,000 for 2018/19.

As a result, the council is proposing to withdraw its funding for nine bus services:

• No. 51 – Bridgend to Oaklands Road (Easyway)

• No. 803 – Danygraig to Porthcawl (Easyway)

• No. 61 – Nottage to Porthcawl (Peyton Travel)

• No. 81 – Bridgend to Pen-y-Fai via Brackla and Coity (Easyway)

• No. 68/69 – Bridgend to Cefn Glas (First Cymru)

• No. 52 – Bridgend to Broadlands (Easyway)

• No. 63B – Bridgend to Porthcawl (First Cymru)

• No. 62 – Bridgend to Pencoed (First Cymru)

• No. 73 – Pyle to Fforddygyfraith (Easyway)

BCBC and Welsh Government subsidise some regional and local bus routes so that residents who live along them have convenient access to employment, education, health care and social activities.

Unfortunately, as we will have even less money available to spend on public services next year, the current level of subsidy is unsustainable.

Councillor Richard Young, Cabinet Member for Communities

Councillor Young continued: "Clearly, this isn’t a situation that we would like to be in, but it is the harsh reality that the previous level of funding simply cannot be maintained.

"We therefore want to look at the consequences of withdrawing the subsidies on certain routes, and would like to gather public opinion before any decisions are taken.

"As well as telling us whether or not they value these particular bus services, we also want local residents’ views on possible travel alternatives that may be available to them, such as the community transport scheme.

"All of these schemes are designed to serve routes that are used, but only by relatively low passenger numbers, and may be the most suitable option for the future."

Bridgend County Borough Council’s ‘Supported Bus Services’ consultation can be completed online before the closing date of Monday 26 March. Paper copies and alternative formats are also available by calling 01656 643664.