Cardiff Airport bus link under threat after passenger slump
13.01.06
A direct bus link to Cardiff International Airport is facing the axe because commuters are taking the train instead. Cardiff Bus confirmed today that it was looking at its options after seeing its passenger numbers slump by 25 percent.
At present Cardiff Bus operates half-hourly to the airport and hourly to Llantwit Major. Last year the Airbus Xpress service, which runs half-hourly, won a prize in Wales' transport awards.
Managing director David Brown said: 'The opening of the Vale of Glamorgan rail line has caused a substantial transfer of passengers from bus to rail and we can't continue to operate the current level of service. The rail service is subsidised and is a very attractive option with the same fares for both bus and train.'
'We are currently reviewing how we can reduce frequency yet still retain services. We are involved in discussions with the Vale of Glamorgan council, the airport authorities and the assembly government.'
One option could be to axe the direct link and combine both the Llantwit Major and airport service.
The Arriva trains service, which links Cardiff and Bridgend via Barry, carried around 172,000 passenger journeys to and from the stations at Rhoose and Llantwit Major during its first six months of operation.
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