SOME Carmarthenshire and Swansea Valley bus services are being reduced and cancelled by First Bus due to a reduction in funding.

This comes into effect on October 29 after a reduction in funding coming from the Welsh Government.

First Bus has announced that it will be withdrawing the X28 service between Tycroes Depot and Llanelli Bus Station which goes through Hendy and Parc Trostre.

It will also be withdrawing the X29 service between Tycroes and Carmarthen which goes through Cross Hands.

The 56 between Pontardawe and Neath will no longer be operating Monday to Saturday, but will be continuing its Sunday timetable and public holiday timetable.

Other services to be cancelled across the region include the 11, 23, 32, 44, 110, 2B and 2C buses in Swansea, and the 29 service in Swansea will no longer operate on a Saturday.

The 28 service in Swansea will no longer operate on a Sunday, alongside the 38, 87 and X1 in Neath Port Talbot.

The 2A service in Swansea will not operate Monday to Saturday, but will be covered by the 2 service. The 2A will operate its Sunday timetable.

In Carmarthenshire, there will be a reduction in the frequency of the services L1, L2, X11 and X13.

There will also be a reduction in the frequency of a number of services including the 3A, 4 (which is the Singleton Hospital to Morriston Hospital service), 6, 12, 13, 16, 20, 20A, 21, 25, 33, 34, 36, 111, PR1, PR2 and X6 in Swansea.

There will also be a reduction in the frequency of services 81, 82, 87, X1 and X3 in Neath Port Talbot.

The reduction in the X13 service affects Pontarddulais, Llanedi, Tycroes, Ammanford, Llandybie, Ffairfach and Llandeilo residents, the reduction of the 16 service affects Pontarddulais residents and the X6 service reduction will affect Ystradynlais, Pontardawe and Ystalyfera residents as well as visits to Glanrhyd Hospital.

First Cymru had been tasked with reducing the bus network to coincide with the reduction in public funding as passenger numbers remain well below previous levels.

First Cymru’s managing director, Doug Claringbold, said: “The majority of services are unaffected, but despite our efforts to protect our customers from the impact of this reduced funding, we have no option but to reduce or stop operating some services.

“We recognise the Welsh government has had some tough decisions to make as it changes the way it funds bus services. At the same time, we share the disappointment customers will feel from the knock-on impact that will have on some routes. We are committed to getting more people to use the bus, and adequate levels of funding are essential where passenger numbers are below the cost of operating services.”

Passengers are advised to check the revised timetables at https://www.firstbus.co.uk/south-west-wales/news-and-service-updates/updates/29th-october-2023-service-changes before travel.