South Wales operator Adventure Travel is to take on two supported Vale of Glamorgan bus routes after Easyway Minibus Hire of Bridgend closes at the end of August.
Adventure Travel will commence operation of routes 88 and B3 in the Barry and Penarth areas from 1 September – not 1 August as earlier stated in some sources – after it reached agreement on subsidy with Vale of Glamorgan Council. The new operator says that the change of provider will be “seamless” for passengers.
Adventure Travel is now securing drivers and vehicles to operate the services. Managing Director Adam Keen has expressed regret that Easyway is to close, and he has noted that the Bridgend business “has a great local reputation.”
Mr Keen adds: “We are pleased, however, to be in a position to intercede and assume control of the Barry and Penarth services and will continue to run both routes with no changes to the current timetables. These services fit in well with our long-term strategy to grow our business and provide useful services for the people of South Wales.”
The two routes will be staffed “with a small team of regular drivers, some of whom we hope will come to us from Easyway,” he continues.
Easyway’s other, commercially operated routes have been cancelled as of 1 August, vehicle operator licensing records show. It currently holds an O-Licence authorising 15 vehicles.
Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places Cllr Bronwen Brookes has echoed sadness at Easyway’s decision to close. Cllr Brookes describes the operator as “much respected” and adds that it “will be greatly missed.” She adds: “However, I am pleased that the council is able to provide financial support to deliver continued service provision for routes 88 and B3.”
