FRESH calls have been made for an airport link bus service to be "scrapped" after it was revealed half a million pounds had been spent on the controversial service.

The Welsh Government funded T9 service has long been the subject of criticism, with claims that it often runs empty or nearly empty.

New figures uncovered by local Conservatives, reveal that a total of around £1.3m has now been used to fund the service.

Welsh Government Labour transport minister, Ken Skates confirmed the figures in response to a written question from Vale Regional AM and Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies

The service, which shuttles passengers to and from Cardiff Airport, has come under scrutiny - with some labelling the service a "ghost train", due to a lack of passengers.

Some Barry residents, who are unable to access the service even though it travels along Port Road through Wenvoe and Barry, have dubbed it the ‘Ghost Bus’ and the ‘Empty 9.

Vale-based Welsh Conservatives have been critical of the airport express service, linking the city centre of Cardiff directly to and from Cardiff Airport, after its failure to get passengers on board.

Conservative candidate for the Dyfan ward, in Barry, Vincent Bailey called for the T9 to be scrapped with the money saved being spent on restoring local services.

Mr Bailey said: “The amount of taxpayers’ money being thrown at the Empty 9 is an absolute scandal.

“Almost half a million pounds was wasted last year by the Welsh Labour Government on a service that locals still can’t use, and a bus which still regularly runs empty.

“It’s time for the T9 to be scrapped, with the savings spent on improvements to local services in the Vale.

“Barry residents deserve a better transport service and having fought to stop cuts to local routes such as the 98 to Highlight Park, I can understand their anger and frustration at seeing this empty bus rolling along Port Road every 20 minutes or so.”

The Welsh Government responded: “Since the Welsh Government took ownership of Cardiff Airport in 2013, it has become one of the UK’s fastest growing airports. Passenger numbers have increased month on month for 20 straight months, and grew by approximately 15 per cent between 2015 and 2016.

“It’s imperative that our national airport has regular public transport to and from it and we’d expect these numbers to continue to grow as the airport continues to expand and increase in popularity.

"We have protected our Bus Services Support Grant to all councils in Wales in recent budgets, which enables them to subsidise bus and community transport services they deem necessary in their areas.

"The Vale of Glamorgan Council is separately and additionally reimbursed for the operation of the T9 service. It has never been a case of choosing local services over the airport shuttle, Vale communities should expect both.”