Cardiff Bus (CB) has announced it will be transferring some of its services to its sister company Vale Busline Limited (VBL) – which has now had its 20-vehicle O-licence granted.
Incorporated on May 3, 1995, VBL has remained dormant to date – but will not be used to boost frequencies on CB’s lower volume routes in order to grow the market in these areas, municipally-owned CB said. The new services will be launched in the summer and routes and timings are currently being finalised.
CB has come under competitive pressure over the past year, notably from local independent, New Adventure Travel. While VBL will maintain a separate identity, have a different livery on its fleet and have its own website, buses will still operate from CB’s Sloper Road depot. Passengers will be able to access the website and information from CB’s website – and they will also still be able to use their tickets and iff app on the VBL’s routes.
Cynthia Ogbonna, Managing Director of CB, explained the background to VBL: “We are continually looking for ways to improve the commercial viability of our business, while still maintaining our services and better serve the people of Cardiff and the surrounding areas.
“VBL has been part of our family of companies since 1995. Following Board approval and having taken legal advice, we recently applied to the Traffic Commissioner’s Office for authority to operate. Now approved, it gives VBL its own licences, meaning we can now run services on our lower volume routes.
“Details regarding services and times are currently being discussed, but we are looking to launch the new service in time for the summer holidays.
“Our Union partners have been informed about this development and we do not anticipate any redundancies from these changes. We hope our customers will take advantage of the increased services and that it is a great success.”
News of the granting of the application was included in the latest Notices & Proceedings for the Welsh Traffic Area. The O-licence lists its Transport Managers as Simon Mumtaz Mohammad and Gareth Stevens.
