Pen-y-ffordd, Penymynydd, Dobshill Bus service update. A Statement from FCC Officers and local members

Firstly, we would like to apologise for some of the issues that have occurred in the early weeks of this new service. This has been due to a variety of operational issues that only came to light once the service came into effect.

To clarify the Service 29 was introduced on Monday 13th January, 2020. With regards to sixth form transport that has caused some of the problems this week, in order to allow time for the route to establish we made the decision not to transfer pupils from contracted school buses to the Service 29 until Monday 27th January, 2020.

Unfortunately, there have been unforeseen timing issues with the service and the operator has requested a variation to change the times slightly with the traffic commissioner. The changes requested will improve the punctuality of the route, however, the children can currently utilise the service 29 and arrive at school on time.

An officer from the Integrated Transport Unit has been on site each morning and will continue to monitor the route until things settle, officers have also communicated changes with the school. If parents and children are concerned with the timing issues of the Service 29 they can still utilise the contracted school buses until February half term, but will be expected to use the Service 29 on their return after half term.

With regards to stopping on Penymynydd Road, there are currently no official bus stops other than Bilberry Close, so additional ones are now being applied for. In the meantime, the buses will operate an on demand stop wherever practical within reason.

The timetable changes will be communicated to school, the new timetable will be displayed on the bus, a letter will be distributed to students and we will issue a statement via social media. The council will also update timetable displays in the local area.

We now hope these issues can finally be overcome, and once again apologise for any inconveniences caused in these early days of the introduction of the service.

Thank you for your understanding.