MP Alun Cairns calls public meeting on Barry's bus services

The people of Barry and the Vale have been through the wringer with their buses, culminating in the £2.7 million transport interchange - which currently serves zero bus services.

The Barry and District News has heard from all corners including Tony Price, who is about to lose the service which takes him on his day trips to Penarth.

Cara Norman and Sally Clarke are nurses at Llandough Hospital, who for the first time in decades find their bus service shortened and no longer serving where they live on the island.

Even the mayor of Barry has stepped in, noting the new transport interchange is lovely - but asking, where’s the buses.

We’ve heard from Vale Council leader Lis Burnett, who refuses to apologise for the interchange being built, despite there being no buses to serve it – other than rail replacement buses.

Even Barry Pleasure Park owner Henry Danter has weighed in on the issue saying he knows how to bring buses back to Barry, just let him build his holiday camp...

We've heard many complaints about Barry's buses including from Llandough Hospital nurses (Image: Supplied)

One of the crucial factors in the breakdown of bus services is Covid and Welsh Government’s removal of the Bus Emergency Scheme funding (BES) which supported services during the pandemic.

Now, bus companies are paying for routes themselves again and say, because passenger numbers, have not recovered fully since Covid they are having to cut back services.

MP Alun Cairns recently attended a meeting in Rhoose where furious passengers raged at the “unreliable” Adventure Travel 304 service.

Even Barry's mayor is concerned about the state of Barry's buses (Image: Supplied)

Barry's new bus interchange currently has no buses (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Cairns seems to have appetite for more debates, calling another public meeting about the buses, this time in Barry.

Mr Cairns said: “Local transport is a lifeline for residents across the Vale, which is why I continue to prioritise pressing for improvements to local transport across Barry and the local area.

“I am keen to represent residents and to work with bus companies to address the issues that are faced in the community.”

MP Alun Cairns wants a public meet on Barry's buses (Image: Alun Cairns)

So far Mr Cairns' office says they have contacted Adventure Travel and Cardiff Bus asking for representatives to join the meeting and are awaiting confirmation.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 23, in St Helen’s RC Church and is open to all local residents.

Doors open from 11.15am, with the meeting starting at 11.30am.

What do you think of the state of the buses in the Vale? Do you use them? Or have you turned to the car? Let us know, emailing harry.jamshdian@newesquest.co.uk.