Barry to Penarth 88 bus service to finish for good in weeks

The 88 bus service, which runs between Barry and Penarth, is to stop for good at the end of July after failing to secure funding.

The service runs a critical route taking passengers from Barry to Sully to Penarth via the likes of Ty Hafan hospice and Beechwood College - and covers some locations not covered by other major bus routes do not cover.

One concerned bus user said the service stopping meant he would be forced to use taxis to get to his hospital appointments in Cardiff.

Another user, Tony Price, he says the loss of the service could have dire consequences on his mental health.

Mr Price, 75, who lives in Barry, says he regularly uses the 88 when he wants to go down to Penarth Pier for a bit of R&R.

“If the 88 service goes it means I will not be able to go to Penarth,” said Mr Price.

“I like going to the seafront. I like watching the boats go by and getting a bag of chips and a coffee. If the bus comes to a stop, I will not be able to do it.”

The 88 will be no more by the end of July as it failed to secure funding (Image: Newsquest)

When we met Mr Price and driver Steve Lloyd, Mr Lloyd reckoned he’d already taken 100 fares by 3pm. The service runs between 7am, with last buses leaving Penarth at around 3.30pm and Barry at 4pm.

Tony Price, right, and driver Steve Lloyd are gutted it's going (Image: Newsquest)

One of the issues raised by users was that the 88 is one of the only services which goes down to Barry’s Bendricks during the day.

Mr Price continued: “A lot of older people who do not have cars use that bus. It will cause an awful amount of inconvenience when it goes.”  

The 88 runs a unique route between Barry and Penarth serving less connected communities and running past the likes of Ty Hafan and Beechwood College (Image: Adventure Travel)

The 88 is one of the few services that goes to Penarth seafront (Image: Newsquest)

Up to 100 passengers had used it through the day when we came to take a look (Image: Newsquest)

‘Vale of Glamorgan say they cannot fund the service going forward’

Adventure Travel, who runs the service, confirmed the 88 did not win funding to stay active.

“On July 24, the Welsh Government's Bus Emergency Subsidy fund will change to the Bus Transition Fund, whilst this new fund will prevent certain vulnerable routes from being reduced or cancelled, the 88 was not successful in securing any funds.

“Sadly, without top-up funding, the route is not commercially viable to operate and as such, the Vale of Glamorgan have stated that they cannot fund the service going forward.”

Leader of Vale Council councillor Lis Burnett said the council would strive to provide as much bus coverage as possible.

“Since April, the Council has increased its spending on local bus services by more than £100,000, taking the total investment to around £500,000,” said Cllr Burnett.

“There are a number of services that run between the two towns of Penarth and Barry and we are working with operators to look at how they can provide as much coverage as possible with the funding available.”

Do you use the 88 service? Did you know it was coming to an end? What will you do now? Let us know all your thoughts on the end of the 88 bus route by emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.