Concern after a vital bus route is dropped
LOW PASSENGER FIGURES BLAMED
BUS users in parts of Gwynedd could face more disruption after a company revealed it was withdrawing from a key route.
The Llanberis to Caernarfon route has been operated by Arriva Cymru since January after Express Motors’ operating licence was withdrawn.
But Arriva has notified the Traffic Commissioner for Wales and Gwynedd Council of its intention to end the popular 88 service from September 23.
Council officials are hopeful a new operator will be found to operate it.
The Arriva spokesperson said: “After much consideration, we can confirm that, due to low passenger figures, Arriva has had to make the decision to withdraw the number 88 bus from September 23. However, the Sunday service will continue to operate as normal despite these changes.
“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, and reassure passengers that the number 83 and 91 services are currently not looking to be withdrawn.” Eryl Crump
Arriva also took over the 85 service which links Llanberis with Bangor. The other two services link Caernarfon and Dinorwig and Dinas Dinlle .
Since Arriva took over the Caernarfon and Bangor routes from Llanberis, there have been a constant stream of complaints by bus users about the service’s reliability.
One said: “You can’t bank on the Arriva bus turning up, let alone getting you to your destination on time. The information boards don’t work so you have no idea if the bus is running.
“When Express ran the service there was a bus every hour from 7am until late evening. Before Express we had Padarn and they were as regular as clockwork.
“Why can’t they (Gwynedd Council) run a bus from Llanberis to Caer- narfon and back every hour from early morning? So much simpler.”
A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “We have been informed that Arriva intend to stop providing the 88 bus service between Llanberis and Caernarfon.
“The council’s Transportation Service is currently in discussions with another bus company to take over the service.”