Janet Finch-Saunders MS has welcomed the news that a dedicated bus service is hopefully planned for students attending Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy from communities on the West of the Conwy Valley.
This academic year students from communities such as Rowen, Ty’n-y-Groes, Tal-y-Bont, Dolgarrog, and Trefriw, have been using the public 19 service, which often has standing room only.
Having listen to the concerns raised about capacity, and liaised with Llew Jones, Mrs Finch-Saunders is delighted that Conwy County Borough Council has put out a tender for the 19 service, starting on 1 July 2024, without any integrated transport element. This means that there will have to be a separate closed-door service contract covering Rowen, Ty’n-y-Groes, Tal-y-Bont, Dolgarrog, and Trefriw.
The expectation is that when the academic year starts in September there will be a dedicated 70 seat school bus to convey the learners to school.
Commenting on school transport arrangements, Janet said:
“Students were clear with me that they were genuinely worried about the volume of people using the public bus from the West of the Conwy Valley to Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, highlighting that there was often standing room only.
“Whilst Llew Jones have assured me, and I have seen evidence, that the buses were operating legally, the case for a dedicated school service was clear.
“I am grateful that the voices of students have been heard, and that Conwy County Borough Council’s new contract for the 19 service does not include an integrated transport element. This means that there will now have to be a separate, dedicated school bus, from September onwards.
“As I am sure local residents will agree, it is brilliant that Llew Jones have secured the new 19 contract, and I commend them for the exceptional efforts they are making this month to ensure that the public and pupils still have access to public transport in the West of the Conwy Valley. Indeed, we are entering a challenging period with a major road closure.
“I look forward to Conwy County Borough Council issuing a tender for the new dedicated school transport service as soon as possible”.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS
