BUS travellers could face fare increases or reduced services due to a funding cut, a senior councillor has warned.
Wrexham Council has revealed it is set to receive a 27 per cent reduction in the local transport grant it obtains from the Welsh Government.
It is now feared there will have to be fare increases to cover the funding cut of £126,000, potentially driving people away from using the bus service.
Bus service operators are also facing a reduction in the grant funding they can access.
Cllr David Bithell, Wrexham Council’s lead member for environment and transport, said there had been no prior warning about cuts from the Welsh Government and fears they will impact on subsidised bus service users.
“The council’s subsidised bus services are an essential part of rural and community life and allow independence to many people who would otherwise be isolated and unable to remain independent in their own homes,” he said.
“It allows people to get to work or education and to access health and medical facilities.
“Bus usage helps keep down our carbon footprint and it will be extremely difficult to promote the benefits of bus transport when increased fares make them very
unattractive.
“Wrexham bus station currently sees four million passengers a year who could all see either a rise in fares or a cut to the service they use.”
Currently the council receives £462,733 through the grant and the reduction means this figure will slump to £336,533, a total reduction of £126,000 in the amount available for the next year.
Cllr Bithell said he has written to Welsh Government Transport Minister Carl Sargeant and several Assembly Members outlining his concerns about the grant cuts.
“The cuts announced also coincides with a similar reduction in the amount of grant given to bus service operators that has been available for almost 50 years which will also impact massively on commercial services,” he added.
“Ultimately, it is the user who will again be asked to pay more for the service and I am arranging to meet with local bus companies to find out the implications the cuts will mean for them.
“All councils are looking at ways of reducing their budgets and are making adjustments for reduced grants from the Welsh Government.
“This reduction, however, feels like we are having the rug pulled from under our feet and I will be strongly encouraging the Minister to reconsider his decision and to talk to us about the implications the speed of the reduction will have on people not only in Wrexham but throughout Wales.”