Pembrokeshire's Coastal Buses will be back on the road for seven days a week from early next month. The Poppit Rocket, Strumble Shuttle, Celtic Coaster, Puffin Shuttle and Coastal Cruiser will be operating their summer timetable from Saturday, May 3. The coastal bus services carried over 70,000 passengers last year and it is hoped that they will continue to reduce the number of people using cars to visit the countryside and coastal areas of Pembrokeshire. This summer a number of improvements have been made to the service. There will be free travel for children (four to 16 years) during the school summer holidays, while a new Bloomfield Sunday service will transport travellers from Narberth to sites along the Cleddau Estuary. There will also be more runs per day on the Celtic Coaster service. Rhian Higgins, Greenways officer, said the coastal bus services were an important link for visitors and residents in Pembrokeshire. "They are valuable solution to rural transport problems along the coastline between Cardigan and Pembroke, providing daily public transport to both locals and walkers," she said. The Poppit Rocket is operated by Richards Bros. and follows the coastline between Fishguard and Cardigan, stopping at Pwllgwaelod, Dinas Cross, Newport, Moylegrove, Poppit Sands, St. Dogmaels and Cardigan. The Strumble Shuttle is also operated by Richards Bros. and follows the coastline between Fishguard and St. David's, stopping at Goodwick, Pontiago, Strumble Head, Trefasser Cross, St. Nicholas, Tregwynt, Mathry, Abercastle, Trefin, Llanrhian, Porthgain, Abereirddi and St. David's. The Celtic Coaster is a wheelchair accessible bus operated by W. H. Collins and takes people from St. David's to Porth Clais, St. Justinians and Whitesands. The Puffin Shuttle is operated by Richards and Edwards Bros. and travels along the coast between St. David's and Milford Haven, passing through Solva, Newgale, Broad Haven, Little Haven, Marloes, Dale, St. Ishmaels and Herbrandston. The Coastal Cruiser is operated by Silcox and is the first bus in the UK to carry surf-boards, bicycles and wheelchairs, as well as beach/walking/climbing equipment. It transports people around the Angle Peninsula, from Pembroke Dock to Pembroke, Angle, Bosherston and Stackpole. Meanwhile, anyone planning to head for the hills can take the Preseli Green Dragon walkers bus with stops along the Gwaun Valley in North Pembrokeshire. The services have been designed and introduced by Pembrokeshire County Council in conjunction with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as part of the 'Pembrokeshire Greenways' project, which encourages people to access the countryside through public transport. The summer timetable will operate from Saturday, May 3, to Sunday, September 28. All Wales bus passes are valid on all Pembrokeshire Coast Bus routes. For further timetable details please pick up a leaflet from Tourist Information Centres or contact Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 764551 (during office hours). Timetables are also available online at http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/transport">www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/transport For further information please contact Rhian Higgins, Greenways officer, on 01437 776313 or e- mail http://www.pembrokeshiregreenways.co.uk">www.pembrokeshiregreenways.co.uk
