A Senedd member in Wales has been providing lifts to residents in his local area due to the lack of adequate bus services. Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor expressed concerns about the poor bus service, highlighting long gaps between services and the absence of any services on Sundays in parts of his constituency. He noted that this situation has significantly impacted the quality of life for local residents.
Mr. ap Gwynfor revealed that the route of the T3 bus service was altered a year ago, affecting people from Llanuwchllyn to Corwen. He shared that he often finds himself giving lifts to people who are unable to catch the bus, whether returning home from a doctor’s appointment, work, or a shopping trip. He mentioned instances where older people have been left stranded and forced to walk long distances to get home, while young people have missed out on activities like sports clubs due to the unreliable bus service.
Transport secretary Ken Skates responded to these concerns by assuring Mr. ap Gwynfor that he would request a review of the T3 service. Skates acknowledged the dissatisfaction with timetable changes and reliability issues faced by passengers and pledged to engage with stakeholders in the coming months before making any decisions on route or timetable changes.
The potential improvements to the bus service have been welcomed by various communities beyond Mr. ap Gwynfor’s constituency. The efforts to address the gaps in the bus service are seen as a step towards enhancing transport accessibility and improving the overall quality of life for residents across Wales.