WHEN a seaside community such as ours and the residents of Penarth Esplanade in particular feel themselves to be experiencing public transport poverty it has both serious consequences for the long term health and wellbeing of the residents and the tourism economy (as reported in the Penarth Times).

The Westminster Government it seems can find £46bn for a London to Birmingham High Speed Rail Link but Cardiff Bus can't get its act together and provide an adequate service to Penarth Pier. Such a situation is not tolerated in Manchester where the inspirational and innovative organisation Transport for Greater Manchester, which runs the highly successful tram system, has now invested in a fleet of three new Optare fully-electric buses. Having tried them recently on a visit to the Granada Coronation Street Studios I have to say they are clean, green, very quiet and extremely tourist friendly.

These vehicles cost just £232,000 each, can carry up to 57 passengers and have been jointly-funded through the Department for Transport’s Green Bus Fund. Amazingly this bus service is so efficient and beneficial to Manchester it is provided free of charge.

It surely would be as simple and cost effective to solve the desperate need for an adequate Penarth Town Circular Bus Service by purchasing the appropriate vehicles. Combine this with thorough ticketing and concessions on all Cardiff Bay buses, trains and the award winning Waterbus Service from Penarth Marina to Mermaid Quay and the problem is solved. Cardiff Bus is very good at pleading poverty when serving anything other than the principal shopper and commuter routes. However, there is no excuse for their lack of thought and long term investment which is resulting in Transport Poverty for Penarth Pier and the residents of both the surrounding Esplanade and Marina areas.

Philip Rapier

Penarth Town Councillor

St Augustine’s Ward