CHANGES are to be made to Pembrokeshire’s local bus services.

The changes follow the need to cut the bus service budget by £167,000. Most of the changes involve a reduction in the frequency of services, which is a preferred option of members of public following consultation.

The changes will take place from April 28 this year. “There are over 50 local bus services operating in Pembrokeshire of which the majority are subsidised by the Council,” said Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Planning.

“Last year a 25% reduction in the amount of Welsh Government funding provided to the Council meant that all subsidised Saturday and evening bus services were removed.

“Unfortunately further savings still need to be made this year,” he said.

“We have used the opportunity provided by the re-tendering of contracts this month to reconfigure services with operators who have responded positively. And, to ensure the impact of changes is kept to a minimum, we also asked members of the public for their views,” he said.

“We know how much people rely on their local bus service so we have made every effort to limit the negative effect of these changes.”

A questionnaire compiled by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Transport Unit last Autumn showed that while concerned at further cuts to bus services, the majority of people preferred cuts should involve reducing the frequency of services rather than the removal of entire routes.

The changes to bus services are as follows:

• 411 (Haverfordwest – St Davids)Contract awarded for 2 hourly service as opposed to current hourly service. The operator has indicated that they propose to enhance some of this service commercially and potentially operate hourly in the summer.

• 356 (Monkton – Milford Haven) Alternative tender specification accepted. This will remain an hourly service but with a simplified route that does not serve The Bush Estate. This estate is however going to be served by an hourly commercial service at no cost to the Council.

• 381 (Haverfordwest – Narberth- Tenby) Alternative tender specification accepted. The service will remain hourly but with a simplified route but with the late return journey operating in the summer only.

• 403 (Celtic Coaster – St Davids Peninsula) Number of vehicles reduced from 3 to 2 during School Summer Holidays.

• 387/88 (Coastal Cruiser – Angle Peninsula) Reduction in cost was achieved by redesigning the timetable whilst retaining the service to all villages served with slightly reduced frequency.

• 300 (Milford Town Service) Revenue funding for Saturdays removed. This service is operated commercially in the week, numbers travelling on Saturdays were low. The Council currently funds the Town Rider in Milford Haven on Saturday.

• 357a (Monkton – Pembroke Dock) Revenue funding for evening services removed. This was the only evening service remaining after previous cost saving exercises.

• 362 (Pembrokeshire Dock – Pennar – Pembroke Dock) Revenue funding for route enhancement removed due to low use.