Stagecoach in South Wales Marketing Manager met with Wayne David MP Caerphilly, Hefin David AM Caerphilly, Councillor David Poole, Caerphilly County Borough Council leader and Mrs Quartely to celebrate a new bus route for passengers travelling between Caerphilly and the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

Stagecoach has amended the existing Service 50 route as follows:

• The section of route between Caerphilly and Newport will operate every 20 minutes on Monday to Saturday. Two buses per hour will continue to operate to/from Bargoed however one of these buses will operate as new route 50A.
• Buses on route 50A will operate to/from Newport via Tredegar Park, Cardiff Road and the Royal Gwent Hospital rather than Gaer Park and The Handpost.
• Buses on route 50 will continue to operate their current route via Gaer Park, The Handpost and St. Woolos.

The new route has been introduced in response to requests received by Caerphilly County Borough Council from residents.      
 
Rosa Williams, Marketing Manager for Stagecoach in South Wales said: “We have listened to customer feedback with regards to connections from Caerphilly to the Royal Gwent Hospital, and have as a trial diverted one journey per hour via the hospital to assess effects on patronage and timings. We hope that there is no impact on timings and that the service remains punctual and well used that we may consider this for the long term". 
 
Cllr David Poole, Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said “We welcome the introduction of the new bus route to the Royal Gwent Hospital.  It will make a significant difference to those people who rely upon public transport either to attend hospital appointments or to visit loved ones.”