All change as bus contracts change hands

Powys County Council has announced there could be some changes to local bus routes in the New Year after contracts were renegotiated in a bid to cut costs.

The new school service and public bus contracts start in January with the council looking to shave money off the £11 million it spent last year.

Figures show school transport carried 6,500 pupils to 13 secondary schools, more than 100 primary schools and three colleges. Public transport services recorded over one million passenger journeys last year.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Barry Thomas said: “We are very pleased with the new contracts. They will ensure our youngsters get safely and efficiently to school and provide excellent value for the council. The public transport service contracts will maintain an effective network across the county and again will provide excellent value for money.

“As an authority we are obliged to obtain best value for the council and contracts are re-tendered on a regular basis following European procurement regulations. The new contracts will start when pupils go back to school after the Christmas and New Year break and will run for five years.

“New bus passes have been issued to all children who are eligible for free transport and letters showing the new timetables issued to the parents. Details of all of the names and contact details of the new home to school contractors are also available on the council’s website.

“And, all local bus service timetable display cases have been updated with new timetables and posters have also been displayed on buses advising passengers of changes to timetable,” he added.