Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has highlighted the lack of a Park and Ride bus link for Carmarthen’s town centre and hospital.

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member, Samuel Kurtz MS, has expressed his disappointment that there are no plans to extend the T1 bus route to serve the Carmarthen Park and Ride site at the United Counties Showground in Nant-y-ci.

Following the withdrawal last year of the PR1 service which connected the Park and Ride site with Carmarthen Town Centre and Glangwili Hospital, there are no direct links between the park and ride and the hospital.

Mr Kurtz contacted the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to enquire whether the electric T1 bus which connects Aberystwyth and Carmarthen, and charges at the showground, could have its passenger route extended the short distance between the town centre and the showground, given it currently drives that route empty.   

The Deputy Minister has responded stating that this would not be viable option due to the need to employ additional staff, leading to extra costs, but confirmed that other options would continue to be explored. Commenting, Samuel Kurtz said:

“I am disappointed with the response that I have received from the Deputy Minister.

“The Welsh Government are keen to reduce car use and reinvigorate town centres, however when a sensible suggestion is made to carry passengers on a route already driven by an empty bus, it feels that this simple solution isn’t viable.

“All is not lost however as the Deputy Minister has pledged to look at “other options to reinstate the link”. I will ensure that continued pressure is placed on the Welsh Government to deliver on their promises.”