'Phantom' buses that never came (From Penarth Times)

'Phantom' buses that never came

PHANTOM bus services shown on outdated timetables in Penarth have been corrected, thanks to a local councillor.

One timetable at the Windsor Terrace bus stop said there was a Cardiff Bus P4 service at 10.12am on Sundays, but when one resident went to catch it, it failed to turn up. In fact, the next service was due at 10.42am.

Cllr Anthony Ernest, who heard about the woman's predicament through his wife Gaynor, said: "A member of the public pointed out that Sunday service P4 shown on timetables in the bus shelter had, in fact, been discontinued some time ago and that there was now a one hour interval between early Sunday morning services to Cardiff.

"The lady had to stand in the cold for more than half an hour for the next service to arrive."

Cllr Ernest took the matter up with Cardiff Bus management, sending them an email on Sunday evening. Within an hour he received a reply saying new timetables would be posted immediately in bus shelters around Penarth.

By Monday, the new timetables were in place.

Cllr Ernest said: "I'm grateful to the operator for their prompt attention and they have sent their apologies to this lady and indeed anyone else who may have waited in vain for a listed service which no longer runs on a Sunday at that time.

"We don't have a bus office in Penarth as they do in Barry and Cardiff, and rely on these timetables. Although times are available on Cardiff Bus's website, most elderly people don't have access to the internet.

"We've only got one operator in the area, so it's important that they get their times right."

Up-to-date timetables are online at www.cardiffbus.com

Cllr Ernest said he would be happy to take up other queries about local bus services with the operator if necessary.