JANET Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy, has launched a petition calling for the Welsh Government, Conwy County Borough Council, and Gwynedd Council to cooperate to offer a package of financial support to save the T19 service operated by Llew Jones.

Llew Jones has given notice to terminate the T19 service, which it currently operates between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The operator has explained that termination is being pursued because the huge reduction in passengers since the COVID-19 pandemic, and no indications that the numbers will recover any further, has made the T19 increasingly financially unviable.

If no solution is found, the service will stop on February 11.

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Bus service between Gwynedd and Conwy set to be discontinued

Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “The Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru Co-operation agreement makes a clear promise that they would ask Transport for Wales to work with local authorities in North West Wales and the Welsh Government to develop plans for an integrated transport system.

“Rather than see progress, we are seeing Labour and Plaid cooperation at both the Welsh Government and Conwy County Cabinet levels lead to a deterioration of public transport.

“So to help ascertain the level of public support for the bus service, I have launched a petition on my website, which I encourage as many as possible to sign.

“Whilst I will be reaching out to Llew Jones, they have already made clear that the service is simply not commercially viable in its current form.

“If the Welsh Government, Conwy and Gwynedd cabinets are truly committed to supporting rural communities and improving our public transport system I expect them to cooperate so to be able to offer a package of financial support to help Llew Jones.

“No action will have a detrimental impact on the environment, community connectivity, the local economy, and the poorest and most vulnerable in society.”