A transport lifeline for many south Ceredigion communities will run for another two years after securing funding.

Carmarthenshire County Council has announced that is has secured funding for the Bwcabus service for the next two years.

The award-winning bus service first began operating in the Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul area in 2009.

Since then it has grown to serve even more rural communities across north Carmarthenshire and south Ceredigion; and launched in Pembrokeshire, thanks to a Rural Development Programme (RDP) grant under the LINC II project.

Tailored to the needs of its passengers, journeys can be pre-booked allowing people to travel between local towns and villages within the zone or connect to the main line bus services to travel to places such as Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Ceredigion, Haverfordwest and Fishguard.

It currently operates Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7pm on a pre book basis. It will recommence fixed route timetable services in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion from the end of this month after they were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bwcabus is a partnership between Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire county councils and has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Ceredigion County Council Cabinet member for highways and environmental services, Cllr Dafydd Edwards said: “The Bwcabus has been operating successfully for over a decade. It has established itself as an innovative solution offering local and longer distance journey opportunities meeting a variety of travel needs and wants. These include, but are not limited to, travel for social and health needs, shopping, leisure and commuting.

“It’s fantastic news that further funding has been secured and we look forward to working with all the partners to deliver the service moving forward.”

Carmarthenshire’s executive board member for the environment and Newcastle Emlyn county councillor Hazel Evans said: “We are delighted that we have been able to secure funding for the continuation of this much needed service. The service gives people living in rural areas easier access to healthcare and other key services as well as employment and training opportunities.”

For more information visit www.bwcabus.info or call 01239 801 601 to make a booking.