Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority has been
tasked to make savings of nearly 10% from its budget over the next two years
which has prompted a review of current services provided by the Authority
including the Beacons Bus service. With neighbouring Local Authorities,
co-funders and tourism partners who fund the Beacons Bus Partnership also facing
similar financial constraints, along
with proposed reductions in concessionary fare reimbursement, the Partnership has
accepted there are insufficient resources available to support the service. They are therefore reluctantly considering a
proposal not to operate the Beacons Bus service in 2014.
Julian Atkins, Director of Countryside and Land
Management for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “We understand how very disappointed many of
our regular passengers will be at this proposal and would like to thank them
very much for their support over the years. Passengers can still travel to the
National Park and enjoy a day out using the current weekday bus services. We
have been working to promote these recently, for example, creating a range of
leaflets outlining the destinations and attractions along the T4 bus route from
Cardiff to Brecon & Newtown and along the X63 from Swansea to Brecon.”
Beacons Bus is a commissioned network of buses
which brings passengers into the National Park from surrounding towns and
cities on summer Sundays and Bank Holidays. The service has been running for
over 10 years and has been made possible by funding from the National Park
Authority and neighbouring Local Authorities as well as partner organisations
such as Natural Resources Wales and the National Trust. In addition there is income from fares,
including concessionary fares.
Passengers, user groups, visitors or residents are
being invited to make comments on the proposed withdrawal of the service and are
asked to submit their views by 12th February. Please send them
directly to annie.lawrie@breconbeacons.org
or write to Annie Lawrie, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, Plas y
Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, Powys LD3 7HP.
Notes to Editors: Beacons Bus Partnership The
Beacons Bus Partnership is made up of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority,
Powys County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council, Neath Port Talbot CBC,
Rhondda Cyon Taff CBC, Bridgend CBC, Cardiff City Council, Caerphilly CBC, Monmouthshire
CC, Natural Resources Wales, Heart of Wales Line Forum, TRACC, SWWITCH, SEWTA, National
Trust, Canals & Rivers Trust, TPMW, Bannau Brycheiniog Tourism, Sustrans.