A number of changes to local bus services will be introduced in the coming weeks as a result of a shake up to bus funding.
From April 2024, the funding which has been provided directly to bus operators by the Welsh Government to keep services going in the wake of the Covid pandemic will cease.
Additional funding will instead be provided to Local Authorities to support their local bus network.
In total, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government will provide over £3million in support for bus services in Pembrokeshire during the coming year.
As part of this process, all Pembrokeshire’s local bus services have been re-tendered.
A public consultation, receiving over 300 responses, helped to inform decisions about which services should be prioritised.
Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services said: “I am delighted to be able to report that we are able to maintain the whole of Pembrokeshire’s current local bus network in the coming year.
“We have also secured key improvements such as reinstating an hourly service on the 349 route between Haverfordwest and Tenby via Pembroke Dock, and the popular Strumble Shuttle and Puffin Shuttle coastal bus services during the summer.”
The changes will also see two key services, the 302 Haverfordwest to Milford Haven and 349 Haverfordwest to Tenby via Pembroke Dock, brought under Council oversight for the first time.
This will give the Council greater oversight of service operations and fares. Pembrokeshire residents will also benefit from a new fare structure on all First Cymru services, due to be introduced from 1 April 2024.
This will use Tap On Tap Off to allow passengers to pay the cheapest fare depending on the number of journeys they make or distance travelled, and will cap the maximum adult fare at £3 single and £5.40 return.
More information about these fares can be found on the First Cymru website.
A number of additional service changes and improvements are being considered for introduction during the course of the coming year in response to feedback received from the public consultation.