Tivyside | Archive | 2004 | September | 22
From the Tivyside Advertiser, first published Wednesday 22nd Sep 2004.
BUS services in the Llandysul area are "in complete chaos" and there are "huge problems" for local people needing transport out of the village.
Residents on The Beeches have particular difficulties and the estate has been "virtually cut off", according to a local community councillor.
"Bus services onto The Beeches are non-existent," councillor Terry Griffiths told fellow members at their meeting last week.
"Many elderly residents now feel completely hemmed in, The Beeches is virtually cut off as passengers are only dropped at the entrance to the estate. As far as old people are concerned this is unacceptable. It took one old man two hours to walk to his home at the bottom of the estate from the bus at the entrance."
Cllr Brian Teifi said: "There is a huge problem with buses in Llandysul at the moment. We would need a whole meeting just to discuss them. All the times have changed and the services are no longer convenient to people, especially those that go to Lampeter and Carmarthen. It seems to be in chaos."
He added: "The timetable changes are completely unsuitable. To go to Carmarthen you can't get a bus until 11am and you have to catch one back at 2pm. That gives you no time in Carmarthen to do anything." Cllr Keith Evans, also a member of Ceredigion County Council, pointed out that services had recently been taken over by new contractors.
"Consultation meetings were held all over Ceredigion but only 16 people turned up to them and very few from Llandysul itself."
Cllr Teifi replied: "So, it's partly our own fault. Well, we must try to change it and meet with someone to see what can be done."
Cllr Evans added that questions should be asked about why buses are not going onto The Beeches.
"They are meant to go in there," he said, "And we should seek clarification on what is happening and why." He also pointed out that the Dial-a-Ride service might be a better option for many local people and he added that the fares were the same as for the buses.
The community council will be making representations to Ceredigion about the problems.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008