Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed that it has agreed with a local bus operator for the future of a ‘lifeline’ service for transport users in the locality to be secured.

The new service will be numbered 351 and operate as today between Pendine and Kilgetty, calling additionally at Rylands Lane before continuing towards Saundersfoot and Tenby. It is hoped that the new route will start Tuesday, May 2 to allow continuity of service.

Local councillors this month highlighted residents’ concerns that vital rural bus services in Pembrokeshire were being axed - with Taf Valley Coaches which has operated the 351 service between Tenby and Pendine, and the 352 between Tenby and Kilgetty for the past seven years, announcing that the last operating day for the services will be Saturday, April 29.

Kilgetty and Begelly county councillor Alistair Cameron had tried to reassure residents that the concerns were being addressed behind the scenes.

“This is very good news, including for residents in Ryelands Lane, Kilgetty who were worried about losing their service which provided access to Tenby, Saundersfoot, Amroth and other places,” stated Cllr Cameron this morning.

“Thank you to the Council Officers for organising and other local councillors who have worked together on securing this replacement service.”

The bus agency based in Whitland, had clarified its position on social media before today’s (April 20) update, citing the fact that the withdrawal of funding from the Welsh Government had made certain services ‘financially unsustainable’ and also mentioning a holiday season double decker run by a national operator having a direct impact on what is a ‘small family local business’.

“We have successfully ran these services since June 2016, and fully appreciate you, the public, for your support that we have had over the past 7 years. However, since the pandemic, passenger numbers have been greatly reduced and up until now we have been supported from Welsh Government funding to cover financial short falls,” stated Taf Valley Coaches on Facebook.

“Unfortunately this funding is now being withdrawn, which will make the services financially unsustainable. Also, to add to our financial pressures - it has been agreed that an open top double decker bus (from a large national bus operator) can operate between Tenby and Saundersfoot on a commercial basis, seven-days-a-week from Easter to end of Summer which has a direct impact on our small family local business.

“We find this totally unfair, whilst we struggle over the Winter months to then have the 'cream' taken away from us during the Summer months.

“The school run from Amroth to Greenhill School will continue with a dedicated school bus as normal. I hope you all understand and appreciate our situation,” they added.

The ‘double-decker’ bus referred to, is the Tenby Coaster run by First Cymru, which is back for the holiday season, where users can hop-on and hop-off with the open-topper connecting Tenby (South Parade) to Saundersfoot via Tenby’s Esplanade, New Hedges and Saundersfoot Harbour.

Saundersfoot’s county councillor for the village’s south ward, Cllr Chris Williams, and fellow county councillor for neighbouring St Mary Out Liberty (New Hedges) and St Florence wards, Cllr Rhys Jordan have both ‘taken action’ to put pressure on the County Council to reinstate buses after the recent announcement.

Cllr Jordan has written to PCC’s cabinet member for resident services Cllr Rhys Sinnett to express his concerns on behalf of the residents of the community and to urge him to take action to address this issue.

“As you may be aware, these vital bus services have been cancelled from April 30, 2023, leaving residents without a reliable means of transportation. This is a serious issue that affects all members of the community, particularly children who use these services to travel to and from school,” stated Cllr Jordan in his correspondence.

Cllr Williams also expressed his concerns, stating: “These services are very important to local residents as this gives them the independence to get out and engage with their friends and family or simply going out to do their shopping.”

A spokesperson for the Local Authority said on Wednesday: “Taf Valley Coaches has handed the 351 and 352 routes back citing uncertainty over future Welsh Government Bus Emergency Scheme funding plus ongoing issues of increasing costs and a shortage of drivers.

“Pembrokeshire County Council is in the process of re-tendering the routes but this is unlikely to be in place until June due to procurement procedures and the required bus service registration period with the Traffic Commissioner.

“Attempts to secure a combined 351/352 service to cover the gap in service are ongoing,” they added.

Concerned users of the service have taken to Facebook to air their views, with one stating: “These bus services are a life line to so many people. As well as getting to do their shopping, a visit to the doctors or dental appointments, the bus service also acts as a social meeting for so many people.

“On the bus may be the only place they interact with anybody else. I have been using the bus a lot lately and see the elderly especially looking forward to chatting to others en route. We must keep these services! Also the drivers are amazing.”

One user told the Observer that it was ‘disgusting treatment’ for those reliant on such public transport in the locality and those responsible were guilty of ‘isolating local communities’ with zero care given for transport to key areas.

“Yet again people in Pembs are forgotten and neglected!” they remarked.

“The few buses that are in operation, are so few and far between that no one knows the schedule, they change with the seasons, if there’s a Y in the month and if it’s a full moon as to whether you can catch one every 4 hours 15 minutes, therefore no one relies on them!

“We need regular reliable and consistent transport for all the local communities and to take us to Haverfordwest and Carmarthen easily too, not to have to change three times and only on a Tuesday!” they added.