Bending our ears on bus

BUS passengers have been hopping onto a new bendy bus in an attempt to get some of their questions answered.

One of the 19-metre-long Swansea Metro vehicles — or bendy buses as they have become known — was parked up on The Kingsway in the city centre yesterday for a drop-in surgery.

Representatives of First Cymru, Veolia, Traveline Cymru, Swansea Council and independent passengers group Bus Users UK Cymru, were on hand to chat to bus passengers.

The bendy buses, which are due to hit the streets early next year, are to run from Morriston Hospital to Singleton Hospital via the city centre and Oystermouth Road.

Barclay Davies, officer for Wales for Bus Users UK Cymru, said the open house surgery had been a success.

"People use buses when shopping, for leisure and going to and from hospital," he said.

"And we are here to take any questions from the public.

"It is also a chance for them to come and have a look at the new bus.

"This is the first time it has been parked somewhere in Swansea."

But there was a mixed reaction from the public at the surgery.

Pat Cooper from Saint Thomas, said she was not too keen on the bendy bus.

She said: "I think two smaller buses would have been adequate. A lot of cities have got rid of the bendy buses."

Richard Baldrian, aged 72, from Mayhill, who uses the bus every day, said the drop in surgery was a good idea because he was able to express some of his concerns.

He said: "I am against the metro, full stop, because of the millions being spent on the system.

"I think there should be more money put into bus shelters."

While others welcomed the new bendy bus.

Rhodri Evans, from Morriston, said: "I have never been on one of these buses before.

"I am very impressed, they are quite big and I like the design.

"I will be using them, and I think they will modernise transport in Swansea."

And Jan Olsen, aged 61, from Ravenhill, said: "I use the bus every day. It is a shame the bendy bus is on just the one route."

The Swansea Metro service is expected to start in spring next year.

For more information, visit the website www.swansea.gov.uk/metro