THE MP for Aberconwy, Robin Millar, has called for the return of a bus service between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno which was discontinued earlier this year.

After being in use for 18 months, the Llew Jones-operated T19 service came to an end on February 11.

Llew Jones said its decision to end the T19 service was due to it becoming “increasingly financially unviable”.

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In response to a statement in the House of Commons confirming UK Government support for bus operators and routes across England, Mr Millar questioned transport minister, Mark Harper.

He said: “I welcome the announcement. The minister is right that there is a cliff edge, and operators such as Llew Jones in my constituency can only look on in envy at the levels of support being offered.

“We face a cliff edge in Wales. In particular, it is estimated that some 15 per cent of routes are at risk of closure.

“The T19, which joined communities in Llandudno, Dolwyddelan and Llanrwst along the Conwy Valley and beyond, closed in February, and that has disrupted lives along the valley ever since.

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“Will he join me in pressing the Welsh Government (that) given their generous settlement of £1.20 for every £1 given in England, does he agree that there is space for them to find funding from within their transport budget to support such routes?”

In March, Llew Jones launched the 19X service, which operates three times daily, Monday to Saturday, and was free of charge until April 7.

This stops in Betws-y-Coed, Llanrwst, Glan Conwy, Llandudno Junction, and Llandudno.

Janet Finch-Saunders, Aberconwy MS, launched a petition calling for Welsh Government, Conwy County Borough Council, and Gwynedd Council to cooperate to offer a package of financial support to save the T19 service.

Responding to Mr Millar, the transport minister said: “In England, we have found money for buses from within our budgets, so I definitely encourage other parts of the United Kingdom to do the same.

“In Wales, we have sadly seen a far too ideological approach, including changing speed limits across the country at an estimated cost of £32.5million in implementation alone and potentially with major economic costs knocking on.

“The 15 per cent that he mentioned in Wales is on top of what has already been lost.

“Wales cannot be a model for the future, and the Welsh Government really should look to the support that we are providing in England, including those lower-cost fares for young people, to deliver for people across the country.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Millar said: “I was shocked but not surprised to hear that the T19 may just be a warning to us and that other routes may close without support from Welsh Government.

“People depend on these routes to go to school, work, for public services and to meet family and friends.

“Welsh Government has cancelled road construction projects and are not funding public bus routes – what exactly are they doing to help constituents in rural areas like Aberconwy move around and get on with their lives?

“I am grateful to the residents who have raised this with me and share their frustrations.

“I also pay tribute to the campaigning work done by my colleague, Janet Finch-Saunders, on this which has generated huge support.”