A senior Ceredigion councillor has warned that bus services will need to be used on a regular and ongoing basis if they are to be financially sustainable and viable.

The council says it is lobbying the Welsh Government to increase funding for rural bus services, but has announced there will be changes to local services in Ceredigion.

Several contracts to an end on 31 August, including the 585 Aberystwyth, Tregaron, Lampeter via Llanfair Clydogau, Llangeitho and Llanilar service and the 588 Aberystwyth toi Tregaron to Lampeter via Llangybi, Bethania and Llangwyryfon services.

Also affected are the T21 Aberystwyth to Tregaron; the 525 Aberystwyth to Ponterwyd (Llanidloes); and the 526 Aberystwyth to Penrhyncoch.

These changes, however, do not impact or influence the Welsh Government’s TrawsCymru services (T1, T1C, T1X, T2 or T5) or the 408 Cardigan Town Service.

The 552 Cardi Bach, the Bwcabus, and the local services provided on a commercial basis by operators (X28, 301, 304, 512, 522 or 6) are also not affected by these changes.

Councillor Keith Henson, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services and Carbon Management, said: “I would like to thank the local bus operators for working with us at this very difficult and challenging time for the industry.

"The level of service we will be able to provide makes the most of the available funding and reflects what the operators are willing and able to provide at this time.

“We continue to lobby the Welsh Government to increase funding for our rural bus services and provide transport for those who use buses regularly and those who can’t access private car use.

"However, moving forward, bus services will need to be well used on a regular and ongoing basis if they are to be environmentally as well as financially sustainable and viable.”

The Council says a procurement process has been undertaken with a view of securing the best possible level of service moving forward.

This takes into account and reflects the capacity within the local operator market and the funding available.

There will be some changes to school related services.

A Council spokeperson said: "The level of service it is possible to provide at this stage is reflective of the financial support provided by the Welsh Government’s Bus Transition Fund.

"This is the latest intervention to support the bus industry as we move forward and away from the funding arrangements put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic."

New timetables will be available on Traveline Cymru: www.traveline.cymru/ or by phoning 0800 464 0000.

Further travel opportunities may also be available through the Fflecsi Bwcabus Scheme, with further detailsavailable at https://bwcabus.traveline-cymru.info/ or by phoning 0300 234 0300.