VALE of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns has joined calls from passengers of the Cardiff Bus 98 service to extend the current timetable.

People who rely on the service have been pleading with Cardiff Bus to add more journeys to the 98 service, which runs between Highlight Park and Morrisons, Barry, with the final weekday run currently departing Highlight Park at 2.23pm.

The last service to the town centre leaves at 1.23pm during the week, while there are no buses on weekends.

Following Highlight Park residents’ protest at the bus stop on Lakin Drive, Cardiff Bus agreed to meet with Vale MP Alun Cairns, lead campaigner Elwyn Toozer and Vale of Glamorgan Councillors Leighton Rowlands and Vincent Bailey to discuss the future of the service.

At the meeting, Cardiff Bus representative Richard Davies agreed that they would consider extending the 98 service during the school holidays, although this would not be a realistic prospect until summer 2018.

Mr Davies explained that the 98 service currently finishes early as the same drivers and coaches are used for school pick-ups after 3pm.

Vale MP Alun Cairns said: “I want the 98 service to be extended and this is my priority. I want as many passengers as possible to use this service during the hours that it currently runs to help me make the case for extension.”

“The formula used by the Welsh Government means that the bus companies, such as Cardiff Bus, receive less funding than they would in England. I am also frustrated that the Welsh Government pay less to Cardiff Bus when a pensioner travels. This is not fair and disadvantages communities where there is a higher proportion of older people.”

“Our priority has to be focused on extending the service and increasing the use.”

Councillor Bailey added: “Bus services are a vital lifeline for Barry residents and services like the 98 are suffering because they are useless to people who need to travel outside of the morning. We need an afternoon service so that Highlight Park residents can also use the bus to get to and from work.”

Cardiff Bus have agreed to assess the funding needed to extend the current service, and will present the figures to the Welsh Government and Local Authority for consideration in due course.

Further changes to Cardiff Bus services in Barry are expected to take place in January 2018, however no timetable extensions have been confirmed.