Community left in ‘critical situation’ as bus services cut

A number of bus services are set to be cancelled in Neath Port Talbot leaving some communities in a “critical situation”. Neath Port Talbot council members heard at July’s full council meeting that three services will cease completely while several others will be modified as a result of funding cuts.

Members discussed the Welsh Government^[1] decision to cut bus subsidies across the country and the subsequent warning from the council leader Steve Hunt that the cuts could have “significant implications” for local bus services^[2] across Neath Port Talbot^[3] and the surrounding areas.

Transport providers have blamed a new fund being introduced by the Welsh Government called The Bus Transition Fund which is set to replace the Bus Emergency Scheme which comes to an end in July.

The Bus Emergency Scheme was designed to keep vital bus services across Wales running throughout the pandemic, and while Welsh ministers have promised that £43 million of funding will still be set aside to ensure “the majority” of bus services continue in the coming year, it seems a number will still end up falling through.

The services currently impacted in Neath Port Talbot^[5] are run by South Wales Transport and would include the cancellation of the number 202 bus from Neath to Port Talbot via Briton Ferry, and the 204 bus which goes from Neath to Skewen, from July 22.

There will also be a cut to the school^[6] service S50 which runs to Cefn Saeson Comprehensive, which although will still run to the end of the academic year, will not be reinstated in September. There will also be alterations to a number of other services including the 256, 251 and 252 starting on July 24.

Additionally, issues with drivers possibly relocating to areas such as Manchester for higher wages were also identified by members in the meeting as having the potential to put further strains on the local bus service in Neath Port Talbot.

Speaking at the meeting Councillor Peter Richards of Baglan said the situation could now be critical for many residents living within his ward, as they could only travel to hospital appointments by taxi. He said: “I want to put on record the critical situation my community finds itself in. This decision is going to take a bus away from us, a critical service for the hospital, so residents in my community will not have access to the hospital. The only access they can have is via taxi so it is a real difficult situation.”

Council leader Steve Hunt said he acknowledged the severity of the issue and had called on Welsh Government to take part in further discussions in the coming weeks. Addressing the chamber he said: “Members will be aware of cancellations and changes made to some local bus services by bus operators. The situation remains fluid and the current position is as follows: The Bus Emergency Scheme was introduced by Welsh Government in March 2020 when the pandemic hit and the public were advised not to travel.

“As passenger numbers slowly returned, the initial scheme evolved and ended on March 31, 2023, but passenger numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Following lobbying by local authorities, bus operators and partners, Welsh Government extended the emergency funding so that services could be maintained in their current form until June 30, 2023.

“The scheme was then extended to July 24, 2023 to ensure transport to schools could continue until the end of the school year. The current position is that the Bus Emergency Scheme will be replaced by a new Bus Transition Fund. The new fund is capped at £46 million for the whole financial year with £4m allocated to Welsh Government Traws Cymru Services.

“Welsh Government has asked operators, local authorities and Transport for Wales to consider an alternative bus network from July 24, 2023 that could be delivered within the new reduced funding pot. Bus operators are clear that most routes will be negatively impacted by the reduction in funding.

“It should be noted that while the overall amount of money in the Bus Transition Funding pot has been announced, there is a great deal of uncertainty as to how this funding will be applied. For example, terms and conditions for the new grant have not been formalised, also, the proportion allocated to each region has not been identified.

“The bus network cannot be designed without knowing the exact funding available, operator costs and acceptable profit margins. While operators in Neath Port Talbot and the region have been advised to continue operating at current service levels until the funding and terms and conditions are confirmed, the lack of certainty has caused some operators to withdraw from the local market.

“Already, one operator has de-registered and amended services from July 24 onwards. The reasons given by the operator are uncertainty and short-term funding arrangements. A second operator has amended routes in the Afan Valley as a result of financial viability concerns.”

He added: “Executive members and officers will continue to work within the region, through WLGA and with Welsh Government to try to protect services to the maximum extent possible. We have also requested that Welsh Government initiates a public engagement campaign to encourage an increase in usage of local bus services, restoring passenger confidence in travelling on the local network.” You can

References

1. ^{^} Welsh Government (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^{^} the cuts could have “significant implications” for local bus services (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Port Talbot (www.walesonline.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Council approve recruitment of over ‘£100k per year’ Freeport Chief Executive role (www.walesonline.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Neath Port Talbot (www.walesonline.co.uk)
6. ^{^} school (www.walesonline.co.uk)
7. ^{^} Neath Port Talbot (www.walesonline.co.uk)
8. ^{^} here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
9. ^{^} here. (www.walesonline.co.uk)