Following the Welsh Government’s announcement that funding for public transport provision is to be reduced, it is anticipated that Gwynedd Council, like councils throughout Wales, will need to remodel public transport provision within the county.
For the 2012/13 financial year Gwynedd Council will receive a cut of around 27% in the public transport grant it receives from the Welsh Government – a reduction of approximately £170,000 compared with the grant received for 2011/12.
Aled Davies, Head of Gwynedd Council’s Regulatory Department said:
“The government’s announcement regarding public transport grants coupled with the already challenging financial climate facing the Council means that we have no option but to consider introducing new ways of working and changes to some services.
“Over the coming months, it is likely that the reduction in public transport funding will affect public transport services provided on behalf of the Council as well as commercial services provided directly by transport operators.
“Because of these possible changes, the Council has decided to postpone the printing of a public transport timetable booklet for the summer 2012 period as we cannot guarantee that the information included would be up-to-date.”
Until the necessary changes to the service have been implemented, residents can get the latest accurate information about bus times in their area:
- by visiting the Council’s website www.gwynedd.gov.uk/publictransport – copies can be printed directly from the website
- information is available at bus stops throughout the county
- via the Traveline Cymru service by phoning 0871 200 2233 or visiting: www.travelinecymru.info
- via smartphone apps such as ‘Traveline Next Buses’ http://nextbuses.mobi/ or Download the FREE Traveline App for iPhone or android to find bilingual public
- transport information for the whole of Wales.
- members of the public can access the online timetables at all Gwynedd Council-run libraries and copies can be printed for individual routes at Siop Gwynedd and at libraries for a small fee. This information will also be available at local Tourist Information Centres.
Aled Davies added: “As changes are currently being made to the timetable and further changes are likely, a new bus timetable published at this point in time would be dated even before it was published. Because of this, we have put in place a number of alternative options which the public can use to get the travel information they need.
“In addition, we are contacting businesses within the tourism sector to inform them of these changes and to direct them to the information which is available online and via the relevant telephone helplines.”
As part of the process of remodelling public transport in Gwynedd, the Council has re-tendered public transport and school transport services in the Meirionnydd area. Following this process – which has included discussions and consultation with services providers in the area – two specific changes will be introduced:
- the number 69 Bala Clipa service will now be provided on an “on demand” basis, with members of the public asked to give notice and arrange their journey 24 hours in advance by contacting 07850 370232 (from 1 April 2012).
- the number 37 Blaenau Ffestiniog Clipa service will change from being a half-hourly service to an hourly service as of Monday, 30 April 2012.
Public transport provisions in the Dwyfor and Arfon areas of the county will be re-tendered over the next 12 months.
