New bus service for Penygroes, Blaenau and Caerbryn

They say that following discussions with First Cymru, an extra bus is to be introduced for these areas on a trial basis.

The new journey on service 165 will run from Ammanford at 8.25am on school days only, running through Llandybie and Caecoed Estate, Blaenau and Caerbryn, Penygroes and Gorsddu, to Cross Hands and the Business Park.

"The improved service will offer better links to and from these communities allowing more choice of local journeys," said a spokesman.

"Essentially, passengers will be able to stay on the bus at Cross Hands and continue their journey on service 166, giving them a direct bus to Carmarthen or the Botanic Garden of Wales."

County executive board member for transport services Cllr Colin Evans said: “First Cymru are to be congratulated for having responded to suggestions made to improve this service following discussions with our transport officers.

“ It is important passengers respond by making use of the new journey opportunities to encourage First Cymru to continue and possibly improve the service even further.”

Although the service will initially run on school days only, First Cymru will look at also running during the school holidays depending on the response of passengers.

Meanwhile, First have announced the introduction of a new bus service on Sundays on the busy X13 route.

Following the re-awarding of the contract for the Sunday service between Llandeilo, Ammanford and Pontardulais, First Cymru has introduced extensions to and from Swansea.

The new service will be introduced on Sunday, November 3, and will run every two hours.

Cllr Evans said: “At a time when bus services are under review as a result of Government funding reductions, it is refreshing to see that a bus operator is trying to improve a service.

“We hope that passengers will make use of the new improved facility in the hope that it will become a viable service and that First Cymru will be able to maintain the improvement.”