Black mark for bus (From Penarth Times)

Black mark for bus

ONE of Penarth's most popular eve-ning bus services should be revised because of "unreliability" say local councillors.

The 344, which runs from Cardiff Central through Penarth Centre and Esplanade to Barry Island, "has a very tight schedule which often results in it being late".

The service, which runs in conjunction with service 343, was discussed at a meeting of the Vale of Glamo-rgan Council's scrutiny committee (economy and environment) on Wednesday at Penarth Leisure Centre.

Rob Quick, director of environmental and economic regeneration, said: "There is a problem of unreliability with this service. Car-diff Bus would say the schedule is very tight.

"We need to have a look at routing."

Mr Quick said spot checks had been carried out by the transpor-tation section, which found all buses operated within time differences allowed -no more than three minutes early or eight minutes late - apart from one.

The last 344 journey from Barry King Square that terminates at Ty-Verlon Industrial Estate was five minutes early.

But Cllr Ian Barlow, chairman of Sully Community Council, said he had a different experience.

He said: "It's always late when I use it, but that might not be relevant as I don't use it all the time."

Members of the council's Public Transport Section will see Cardiff Bus commercial director Peter Heath to discuss the issue this week.