A LOCAL councillor has called on Cardiff Bus to improve their communication of bus route and timetable changes to residents.

In a Penarth Town Council meeting on September 12, Cllr Richard Cox told the council: “I’m not sure we have heard anything further from Cardiff Bus. 

“The reason I ask that is I remember at a previous meeting we asked to write to Cardiff bus for consultation and announcement of notifications of any changes.  

“We heard that the seven is coming back but when it came back it was on an unexpected road.

It bothers me greatly that the town council was not told by Cardiff Bus what they were going to do.” 

On October 8, Cllr Richard Cox for the Stanwell Ward added: “The first time I noticed the 93-bus route change was when I saw it going down Stanwell Road – it never used to go down that way. 

“They used to put advertisements in newspapers, online and in notices on bus stops. 

“I went to one bus station, and it had a notice from September, making people think the station is still active.” 

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A spokesperson for Cardiff Bus said: "In terms of the below then route 7 and 93 we operate on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

"Whilst we can make evidence-based suggestions on usage and demand for suggestions to routes and timetables, ultimately, they specify the tender and procure through the funding provided through Welsh Government’s ‘Bus Network Support’ Grant.

“We were contacted by the Town Clerk in April and promptly responded to that enquiry. We were further contacted in September – and again a prompt reply was sent. 

“In April we advised that we were planning our commercially operated summer service to Penarth Pier and wanted to work with them on promoting the service that has the benefit of directly bringing footfall to Penarth Esplanade in the summer months. 

“In past years we have also sought to get involved in matters such as Christmas festivities etc., but to little or no avail. 

“Turning to our communication with customers then as well as website news, email newsletter, socials, on-bus notices are undertaken to raise as much notice as we can of forthcoming changes.    

“Perhaps the town council would like to support us with sharing socials etc. and using their comms means to help get the message out there.”