Cardiff Bus has announced that it will introduce revised timetables during the school summer holidays "to reflect demand". From July 25, the bus company has said that it will operate using a Saturday timetable on weekdays until September 2.
The bus company said the timetable change "reflects the lower demand with fewer people travelling over the summer, and allows us to ensure a reliable service is operated over the holiday period." The revised timetable is being introduced for the summer period only.
A normal weekday timetable will operate on routes 98, H59 and H95 as well as some additional morning journeys on routes 15, 27, 45, 49, 51 and 94. A special daytime timetable will also apply weekdays on route 93 between Cardiff and Dinas Powys.
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Explaining the reason for the timetable changes, Gareth Stevens, commercial director at Cardiff Bus said: “We’ve made the decision to operate a Saturday service during the week to ensure we remain reliable and provide a service that customers can depend on.
“This measure is only being introduced for the school summer holidays. We will still operate extra journeys to Cardiff Bay and convert our summer service to Penarth to an open-top bus as planned later in July. Our regular reduced priced family travel will also be available for the period.”
However, some people have responded negatively to the changes after the bus company announced the summer timetable on social media. Yazz Mason-Tilbury, a full-time carer, said the change was "inconsiderate".
"I think they need to consider that just because kids are off school doesn't mean that people are off work," she said. "I have to be at work for 6.30am I leave at 7pm why should I and many others who work full time have to suffer because of summer holidays?
"I'm a full-time carer, I don't get summer holidays or any holidays off as I'm sure a lot of people don't. So I have to choose between getting the earlier 5.40 bus and being extra early or hoping that my bus will be on time and risk running late like I was Monday.
"Then waiting the hour to get home again. It's ridiculous. It's like when we went into lockdown and they reduced the services but early mornings and evenings, which are the times key workers needed it most. It's inconsiderate."
Responding to Cardiff Bus' announcement on Facebook, one person wrote: "People still need to get around the city!"
"Less people travelling? Are you joking? MORE people need the service since they're taking their kids around the city to keep them entertained! And just because kids are off school, doesn't mean people who work also have the time off," another responded. "This is ludicrous. It's about time a competitor came into Cardiff because you guys are as useful as a chocolate teapot."
One person who works in the hospitality industry expressed concerns about how those working in hospitality will get to work over the busy summer period, writing: "Although the busses I need are not effected I echo the obvious concern already mentioned here: WHAT ABOUT WORKERS?! Working in hospitality myself - for coming up to 20 years now - I know the summer holidays are among the busiest times for such businesses, to the point where many hire extra employees to work over the summer. Many of these will be students who are unable to drive."
Cardiff Bus said: “Based on usage and feedback from our customers, we have added in a number of early morning times to suit commuters. These will be added to our website and journey planner in due course.”
Major changes were recently announced to Cardiff Bus city centre stops as lower Westgate Street re-opened. Last year, the lower part of Westgate Street was closed to private cars in a bid to improve air quality in the capital.
A "bus gate" was installed instead, meaning the road cannot be used as a through route in either direction for any traffic apart from buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians. The road layout underwent a significant change, so that more space is allocated for public transport and active travellers. You can find out more about the changes here.
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