Sir,
I'd be grateful if you would allow me to write a final letter to your readers who are interested in the 333 Silcox bus service from Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen via Tenby and Saundersfoot.
On Wednesday, December 10, the small group of campaigners from Saundersfoot and I, met Mr. Peter Silcox, Mr. Bert Dix and Mr. Hubert Mathias (head of transport at PCC).
For two hours, over coffee at the Mulberry Inn, we discussed once again all of the issues involved: the WAG subsidy for pensioners' travels (which has been increasing by £6 million p.a); the allocation of monies given to PCC for non-hypothecated services; the duties placed upon PCC for the transport services of other, isolated, rural communities; the viability of the 333 service, including passenger uptake (previously at 65 per cent on the six days a week service, now 93 per cent); and even the effect of the VAT 2.5 per cent reduction which has been counter-balanced by an increase in fuel duty.
Mr. Silcox and Mr. Mathias were, we feel, very open and honest with us. They did not obfuscate matters or avoid any question we put to them.
At the conclusion of our meeting, it was confirmed that the 333 will continue to run from Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen via Tenby and Saundersfoot to two days a week (Wednesdays and Fridays) for the foreseeable future.
In addition, there will be some increased services on the 381 to Haverfordwest and an adjustment to some of the timings of the 381 to allow it to sensibly connect up with the 322 passing through Narberth to Carmarthen. This will give more flexibility for people to go directly to Carmarthen on the 333 on Wednesdays and Fridays, or via the Narberth connection (381 and 322) on other days. It will also mean, of course, that one could catch the 333 to Carmarthen and return at a later time than the present two o'clock by catching the 322 and returning home via the Narberth connection to the 381. These 'new' services will begin in the spring. They have been tendered for and there are positive signs of approval from Mr. Mathias.
The Silcox office is being moved to Nelson's Walk in January and the new 2009-2010 timetables will be available from there in the spring, confirming the 'new' services.
The campaigners feel that, all in all, this was a fair compromise. It has been made possible by the coming together of PCC and Mr. Silcox's company to provide the best possible options for the bus users and the commercial viability of the company.
We, therefore, do not propose to pursue this matter further.
We are grateful for all the hours of work put in by the professionals involved and to the Observer editor for allowing us to give information to the public.
Mollie Neate et al,
North Cliff
Tenby.