CAMPAIGNERS have claimed that uncertainty over the future of the bus service between Aberystwyth and Cardiff highlights the need for the reopening of the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway line.

Traws Link Cymru said it was “saddened” to learn that Lewis’s Coaches of Llanrhystud had gone into administration on Friday, 12 August, citing “business issues beyond the company’s control”, with the loss of around 40 jobs.

And TLC, which has recently met with Welsh Government officials as it awaits the publication of a report into the economic case for the reopening of the line, said the news highlights the “underlying key strategic issue” of transportation between mid and south Wales.

TLC spokesperson Dylan Lewis said: “The Traws Link Cymru campaign is saddened to hear that the well-respected local transport company Lewis Coaches has gone into administration.

“For both employees and customers, it is a difficult time and we hope that as many services as possible can be transferred to alternative operators.

“The current uncertainty over the future of the 701 Aberystwyth to Carmarthen to Cardiff coach service once again highlights the underlying key strategic issue of north-south transportation between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen and the compelling need for a rail link to be re-established between these towns."

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