Service Changes from 24th July 2023

From 24th July 2023, there will be important changes to some of our bus services in the Neath area. This affects services 202, 204, 251, 252, 256 and S50.

Services 202 & 204
South Wales Transport are reluctantly ceasing our 202 and 204 bus services. The last day of operation will be Saturday 22nd July.
Both services have been heavily supported by Welsh Government since the Covid pandemic and passenger levels have failed to return to pre-Covid levels.

Welsh Government’s reduced support has created further uncertainty for the future of many bus services in Wales, and the Government has acknowledged that some further bus services will be reduced or withdrawn this financial year because of a shortage of funding.

South Wales Transport understand that the local authority has contacted other bus operators in the area to assess if there is interest in operating the withdrawn services from 24th July.

School Service S50
As a direct result of the above services’ withdrawal and the number of buses being cut, this school service to Cefn Saeson Comprehensive will cease at the end of the academic year and will not be reinstated in September. Welsh Government is aware that planned cuts all around Wales will affect access to school transport for many.

Service 256
As a direct result of the above services’ withdrawal affecting the vehicles’ operational day, there will be changes to this service from 24th July.

• Journeys to and from Cwmtawe Community School will be withdrawn (0745 from Neath and 1515 from Cwmtawe School and Pontardawe). The equivalent morning journey from Neath on Saturdays and school holidays (0750) will also be withdrawn due to low usage.
• The 1440 journey from Neath on school days will now depart at 1447 and will not service Bryncoch.
• Late afternoon journeys from 1550 onwards will operate 20 minutes later. This change will also bring late afternoon journeys back in line to an approximately 30-minute frequency in conjunction with First Cymru’s service 56. Final journeys will be 1640 from Pontardawe and 1710 from Neath, with later journeys continuing to be offered by First Cymru’s service 56.

Click here to view the new 256 timetable effective from 24th July 2023

Services 251 & 252
From 24th July, there will be changes to these services, largely due to reduced support from Welsh Government.

• The 0720 journey of service 251 from Cefn Saeson on weekdays will be withdrawn due to low usage.
• Service levels for both services during school holidays will change to match the current Saturday service.
• Dyfed Road Surgery will no longer be served on service 251 due to low usage and difficulties in maintaining punctual service.

Click here to view the new 251 timetable effective from 24th July 2023
Click here to view the new 252 timetable effective from 24th July 2023

We have not made these decisions lightly and regret that we are unable to maintain services that have operated in some form for decades in some cases. The reduction and uncertainty of support and the direction that Welsh Government are pursuing have left us no option.

We would like to thank our customers that have continued to support our bus services over the past few years.