It was a clear thumbs down from those living with mobility issues across Swansea and NPT to recents cuts to local bus services by First Cymru when Geraint Davies MP met up with the Swansea Bay City Region’s advocacy group.

This meeting followed Geraint Davies’ packed public meeting in Townhill in March, where around a hundred people attended a meeting with an MP on to express their concerns and frustrations over cuts to essential bus services in the Townhill and Mayhill area of Swansea.

The buses serving Townhill and Mayhill were significantly reduced, with the Townhill circular (numbers 12 and 13) being cut by a third and the Mayhill circular (number 11) being removed altogether with the route incorporated into the Townhill circular. This not only reduced the frequency of the service but also extended the length of the journey from 15 minutes to over half an hour.

Townhill is not the only area to affected by bus service cuts and Geraint Davies MP met with the region’s advocacy group to hear how the reduced services are impacting the independence of those living with mobility issues and disabilities.

Swansea West MP, Geraint Davies, said “I was pleased to be invited to the Your Voice Advocacy group following my public meeting on bus services and am grateful for the points made.

First Cymru knows full well that their policy of cutting bus services and increasing fares to make more profits will hit those with least hardest with those most reliant on our buses feeling more isolated.

“One member mentioned often buses are dangerously full with sometimes 70 people meaning people likely to fall over and others who need a seat not getting one. This can also create animosity from other passengers including students whilst some people don’t have the space they need for their mental health

“Others mentioned how drivers ask for bus passes even when buses are meant to be “free buses” so First Cymru get paid twice. The information online is unreliable and the tap-on tap-off system only provides a receipt less than the fare that is eventually charged so volunteer carers can’t recover their travel costs which means some can’t afford to carry on leading to fewer carers.

“The person at the bus Information desk at the Quadrant bus station is repeatedly rude and can’t answer the questions asked. When buses change or pull into the wrong bay this isn’t announced in the tannoy which is particularly difficult for blind people. A number of key bus routes have been cancelled not just in Swansea but those connecting to Neath, Port Talbot, Cardiff and Merthyr.

“Bus drivers sometimes don’t stop at the stop after someone rings the bell and can be rude and abusive to passengers who complain. People have had to get taxis when buses don’t turn up.

“It was pointed out that Swansea is a human rights city and this should underline the right of every citizen to affordable and effectively get round the city which they now can’t.

“I’ll be taking up their concerns with First Cymru and asking Swansea Council how it can help. Neath Port Talbot Council has invested £3million on replacement bus routes. As the cost of living crisis bites deeper we need a decent public bus service.

“It was a fun and informative meeting and I was grateful for the invite and glad to see the good work the advocacy group does across our city region. I’ll also be asking First Cymru to pay a visit to get their passengers’ views!”