Cancelled Arriva services saved

Following Arriva Buses Wales’ announcement that it was to cancel certain routes in mid-Wales, the Welsh Government has agreed to provide funding to replace the services. With effect from 22 December 2013, the Welsh Government will provide revenue funding of up to £81,000 in 2013-14 and up to £81,000 in 2014-15. It will be used to operate the 20, 40, 40C, 50, 585 and X94 routes serving Aberystwyth, Lampeter, Carmarthen, Aberaeron and Cardigan.

Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Assets, Transport and Carbon Management, Cllr Alun Williams, said, ‘The 40 and 50 services have previously been commercial routes not funded by the Council and it was very difficult to see how we could have found the kind of money necessary to subsidise them when the Council has just learnt that it must save £9.5m in the next financial year. Behind the scenes the Council has therefore been working very hard in the last few weeks to make the case for Welsh Government funding for these services that are absolutely vital for local people and to the Ceredigion economy. We are very grateful to the Transport Minister, Edwina Hart MBE CStJ AM, for making this funding available and for announcing that in future the routes will be regarded as nationally strategic.’