PUBLIC transport in Powys will be reduced to a modified Sunday service as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the county council has confirmed.

Normally Powys County Council provides around 30 local bus services across the county operating seven days a week, but national movement restrictions have forced a major reduction.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Aled Davies said: “Not surprisingly the Coronavirus outbreak and movement restrictions announced this week have had a dramatic impact on passenger numbers, both fare-paying and concessionary bus pass holders. Consequently, we are modifying of county bus service and introducing a service based on services operating typically three return journeys per day service.

“We have the county council’s core public transport to the following services":

T12 Machynlleth to Wrexham

X75 Llanidloes to Shrewsbury

X47 Llandrindod to Aberystwyth

T4 Brecon to Newtown

X43 Brecon to Abergavenny

T6 Brecon to Swansea

All town bus services in Brecon, Newtown, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais

X12 Operate to Abergavenny on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

X15 Operate to Hereford Monday and Wednesday

Cllr Davies added: “In our very rural areas we are asking the Community Transport Sector if they can help make sure that the most vulnerable citizens to no suffer from rural isolation as a result of the suspended regular bus services. If necessary, we may look to provide a very limited Demand Respond Service.”

"We ask that if you live in a town with a supermarket and chemist that you do not use public transport – we will prioritise serving rural communities along our core routes to enable them to access essential services."

The new reduced service will come into operation on Monday, March 30 and run for a minimum of six-weeks before being reviewed.