Bus services will once again operate through Pen-y-Fai, Kenfig Pool and Mawdlam from Monday 23 February, following an agreement between Bridgend County Borough Council and First Cymru Buses.
Services through Pen-y-Fai will return as part of the existing Number 71 service route, which operates between Bridgend and Cymmer via Maesteg.
The service will divert through Pen-y-Fai on both its inbound and outbound journeys at no additional cost, running hourly from Monday to Saturday between approximately 7.44am and 6.17pm.
This means Service Number 71 will no longer operate directly to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet and the Princess of Wales Hospital. However, Service Number 70 will continue to service those areas on its existing route unchanged.
For Number 71 passengers who wish to travel to Princess of Wales Hospital or McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, if using either a day ticket, a free concessionary travel bus pass, or the Tap On Tap Off facility, they will be able to transfer to another service at Bridgend Bus Station to continue their journey. Alternatively, they may remain on the bus at Bridgend Bus Station until it departs as Service Number 70.
For passengers who have purchased a single or return ticket, they will need to remain on the bus or pay an additional fare to travel onwards to McArthurGlen or the Princess of Wales Hospital.
The same applies for the journey’s back to Maesteg, which would be Service Number 70 back to Bridgend Bus Station, with the bus changing to Service Number 71 when departing Bridgend Bus Station to Maesteg.
Meanwhile, services through Kenfig Pool and Mawdlam will be reinstated under the new service, Number 63B, which will operate as part of the existing Number 63 route between Bridgend and Porthcawl.
Service Number 63B will run hourly, Monday to Saturday, via Mawdlam and Kenfig Pool between approximately 9.41am and 3.39pm. Opportunities to introduce additional journeys may be explored in the future, subject to available funding.
“The reinstatement of these bus services is very welcome news for local communities who rely on public transport to access jobs, education, healthcare and many other essential services. “This outcome reflects the importance of partnership working, and I would like to thank residents, ward members, council officers and First Cymru Buses Ltd for their continued engagement and commitment. “Improving connectivity across the county borough remains a key priority, and we will continue to work with partners to strengthen and enhance local bus provision wherever possible.”
