Gwynedd Council is consulting on the public transport network and is eager to hear the views and comments of the residents of the county. In order to be able to plan a bus network that addresses local transport needs, the Council has to be aware of the needs of Gwynedd residents, in order to plan a suitable network for the future.

The Council spends around £1.5 million on maintaining the network annually and contributes £476,000 to the Government for the Welsh Concessionary Card (over 60 and disabled).

It has become clear that the financial situation that will face Gwynedd Council over the next few years will be more challenging than ever and every penny of expenditure will need to be justified.

Councillor Dafydd Meurig, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, who leads on the transport field, said: “Our intention as a Council is to be able to offer a bus network that addresses the needs of most of the people of Gwynedd – in an efficient and cost effective manner, whether on a large bus, minibus, taxi or ‘on demand’ service.

“Of course, in a rural county such as Gwynedd, ensuring a suitable bus network that addresses everyone’s needs is extremely challenging. In addition, the local public transport network has seen a very difficult period over recent years, with some companies stopping services and others losing licenses.

“By undertaking a review of the network, we are keen to ensure that we focus resources on bus routes that provide our residents with the greatest social value.

“We know that some residents are struggling to attend medical appointments, others unable to shop or visit a bank and some elderly residents being isolated because there is no adequate bus service available in their villages.

“In order to make the best use of the money available to us, we encourage Gwynedd residents to complete the questionnaire – we want to hear about the purpose of your journey and how using the bus service is improving your well-being.”

The questionnaire is available on Gwynedd Council’s website CLICK HERE

Paper copies are available in the Council’s libraries. The questionnaire is open until 30 April 2019.