Good News For Passengers Of Bus 19

A new operator has stepped forward to operate a Conwy Valley Bus Service. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

From 3rd May 2016, bus services on route 19 will be operated by Llew Jones Coaches.
The future of this commercial route had been uncertain, but Conwy County Borough Council can confirm that Llew Jones Coaches have registered to start running a commercial daytime service from 3rd May. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This replacement service will run between Llanrwst and Llandudno, via Hospital Road restoring the link from the valley to Llandudno Hospital, and with some journeys extending to Betws y Coed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As an addition to the daytime commercial service, Conwy County Borough Council will fund evening services and diversions via Rowen and Henryd. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Philip Evans, Cabinet Member with responsibility for public transport said, “We’re delighted to announce a new operator for the 19 service. We’d like to thank all the passengers who got in touch about the current service and their transport requirements – this information was invaluable when we were looking at the options for a stable and sustainable service on route 19.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Welsh Government have provided assistance to Conwy Council in securing the new service. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Transport Minister Edwina Hart said: “I am very pleased we have been able to assist Conwy Council in securing a new service as quickly as possible. This service provides vital access to jobs and services for many people. The replacement service will now extend beyond Conwy, provide direct links to Llandudno General Hospital, and be integrated with train services.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Stephen LL. Jones, Managing Director of Llew Jones Coaches said, “As a local resident and service provider I have taken a keen interest in the future of the service. As soon as we were made aware of the service being terminated by another provider, we felt no hesitation in providing a similar but more tailored service to look after the local community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We would like to thank Conwy Council and Welsh Government for their assistance to enable us to move forward with this, our first commercially operated service. I’m confident that the community will get behind us and use the buses to ensure the 19’s future in the Conwy Valley.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Full details of the replacement service will be published in due course. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​