Axing of Mid Wales bus services is reduced
Campaigners were today celebrating after controversial plans to axe a number of bus services in Mid Wales were drastically reduced.
Powys County Council had proposed cutting numerous routes to save £500,000 - but the council's cabinet has voted to reconsider following public consultation.
The council launched a public consultation earlier this summer inviting comment on two possible options to reconfigure publicly supported bus routes as part of plans to reduce the near £5m annual cost.
Following feedback, Councillor John Brunt said a new option has been put forward that would allow the council to make the necessary savings but protect most of current bus routes.
He said: "The option will see 22 bus services protected – that's more than 900,000 passenger journeys and 2.4m bus kilometres delivered by the county council.
"There will be some reductions but I hope that the vast majority of Powys people can accept that we have done all we can to protect as many bus routes as possible within the constraints of a reducing budget."
County Councillor for Newtown, Russell George, praised the council for saving a number of routes.
He said: "I'm delighted that Powys County Council has listened to concerns and carefully considered the overwhelming view of residents that these important public transport links should be retained.
"In rural communities, the local bus service often provides a vital lifeline.
"There was a clear case for them to be saved and I'm pleased that the leader of the council, Councillor Barry Thomas, has been willing to listen and be pragmatic following his meeting with me and local campaigners earlier this week.
"While I recognise the need for Powys County Council to make a number of difficult decisions as a result of the Welsh Government's grossly unfair funding settlement, cutting vital front-line services altogether is not the answer and I applaud the council's leadership for listening to residents' concerns."
The services axed are:
Elan Valley to Llandrindod Wells; Knighton/Llangunllo/Felindre; Llanidloes/Bwlch y Ffridd/Aberbechan/Cedewain/Llandysul; Rhayader/Llandrindod Wells/Builth Wells town services; Trecastle to Llandovery and Llanfair Caereinion to Newtown.
