Social services buses could aid Gower network

SOCIAL services minibuses could be adapted for paying passengers to boost the bus network in Gower and Swansea.
It’s early days, but transport chiefs at Swansea Council are examining the idea of using the vehicles during their normal evening downtime.

If adopted, evening travel for people without cars in places like North Gower would get a major boost.

Bus campaigner David Davies, of Llanmorlais, said he had been discussing the proposals with the council in a bid to tackle the lack of evening bus services west of Gowerton.

“I think this is the answer,” said Mr Davies. “I think it is two steps in the right direction. If this comes off, it is mission accomplished as far as I am concerned.”

He is urging people to attend a Want (We All Need Transport) meeting tonight at Penclawdd RFC, at 7.30pm, to discuss the issue.

A similar community bus transport scheme called Dansa (Dulais, Afan, Neath, Swansea and Amman valleys) currently runs minibuses on scheduled routes in Neath, Pontardawe and Crynant, among others, as well as offering group and “dial a ride” services.

Swansea Council is discussing its proposals with Dansa, and has dispatched officers to Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to see how they tackle the rural public transport issue there.

The authority spends some £1.2 million per year on public transport subsidies, of which £464,500 comes from the Welsh Government.

North Gower residents have frequently voiced concerns about a shortage of buses compared to South Gower and the rest of Swansea.

Swansea councillor June Burtonshaw, cabinet member for place, said: “We will continue to work with the community in the hope of getting a new service which will enable people from Gower to access public transport in the evening by the end of the year.”