Bus service 'is now real mess' (From Barry And District News)

Bus service 'is now real mess'

BARRY bus users furious at the cut in vital transport services have offered Cardiff Bus a deal.

Residents in Cadoxton and Colcot say they are angry the company have refused to reintroduce the Colcot/Barry Hospital route, cut last year.

But they say they would accept a reduced service and are pleased that the Sloper Road firm have reopened their Barry information office on a Tuesday, at their request.

Vale Housing Federation secretary Margaret Howell said: "When we met commercial manager Peter Heath, we asked for the King Square office to open more often.

"Now it'll open Tuesdays, with a view to other days if there's enough interest."

But while some think this is a small victory, many other residents in Cadoxton, Treharne and the Colcot still feel abandoned.

Universal Hair Studios owner Lynne Nesbitt said: "Businesses around here are suffering.

When people have to catch two buses, it takes too long and costs more to come here when they have to go via the town centre anyway."

Northwalk employee Sylvia Orton added: "I pay £1.15 for a Transfare ticket to get me to work.

It's invalid after one hour, costing me more if I need shopping.

If I didn't work shifts, it would cost £2.30 every day, because they don't do return Transfares.

If my bus comes late, I miss the connection. It's a mess."

"If we can't have a full service, give us one bus every hour from 9am to noon. It would help."

A spokesman for Cardiff Bus said: "Cardiff Bus consults regularly with passengers to ensure that services meet their needs.

"Unfortunately, our many consultations last year demonstrated that there is not enough demand to make the Colcot/Barry Hospital service commercially viable and the service changed last autumn.

"Cardiff Bus always listens to the views of passengers, but eight months ago, when people had an opportunity, only nine turned up at a meeting to discuss service changes."