Some bus routes in Rhayader, Llandrindod and an early morning service between Llanidloes and Newtown that were due to be cancelled have been retained following successful discussions between Powys County Council and local bus operators.

These services will now be operated as commercial services at no cost to the council by the individual bus companies.

Councillor John Brunt, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “We are delighted that these local bus operators have decided to run these routes, continuing these services for the public.

“The long-term success of these routes will ultimately be determined by their continued use. We therefore urge residents to make full use of these services at every opportunity to ensure their continued operation”.

SP Cars will provide the existing T57 route in Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells. This will operate on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday on a ring-and-ride basis.

In addition to which a new route to replace the withdrawn Llandrindod Town 46A service will be provided and will be named the T46. This will also operate on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday on a ring and ride basis.

Celtic Travel will continue with the T75 route between Llanidloes and Newtown from Monday to Friday on a ring and ride basis with the same route number.

However, the following services will cease on 2 November 2015 as previously announced:

- T41: Knighton – Kington

- T58: Knighton – Llangunllo – Gravel Arch

- T59: Knighton Town

- T81: Caerhowell / Llandysul to Newtown

- T83: Llanidloes – Trefeglwys – Aberhafesp – Newtown

- T84: Tregynon – Bettws Cedewain – Newtown

- 41: This will no longer go to Newtown in mornings and afternoons on college days and will only operate between Kington, Presteigne, Knighton and Lloyney

- 45: Rhayader – Newbridge – Builth Wells

- 45B: Builth Town

- 46: Rhayader – Project Estate – Llandrindod

- 46A: Llandrindod Town

- 80: Brecon to Llandovery

“The difficult decision to withdraw funding from these services was made in response to the council’s budget reduction of £500,000 from passenger transport.

“An extensive consultation was carried out during the summer to gather views from members of the public. These views were considered and taken on board wherever possible which resulted in the creation of a third option allowing us to make both the necessary savings as well as protecting most of the current bus routes.

“This has resulted in 22 bus services being protected, which is more than 900,000 passenger journeys and 2.4m bus kilometres each year delivered by the council,” he added.