Local media in South Wales reports that well known, controversial Welsh operator and local politician Clayton Jones has died, aged 72. Having served as a councillor in the 1980s and 1990s, he also ran Pontypridd-based Shamrock Travel, which grew to become one of the biggest bus operators in south east Wales, operating over 200 vehicles. The business was run by his wife during a period when he had been disqualified from being a company director after another of his operations, Drysilver, which operated buses and taxis in the Valleys, collapsed.
In 2006 Shamrock Travel was sold to Veolia, and Mr Jones set up Heart of Wales Travel, a business which ran into trouble with the Traffic Commissioner. At the time, the presiding Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones said that he believed Mr Jones met the definition of a ‘rogue operator’ alongside other criticisms. Following an appear, ultimately that company entered liquidation. In more recent history, Mr Jones again formed a company to run buses, this time in the Caerphilly area, again seeing limited success; his 12 routes were found to be failing to operate properly during 2022, resulting in a further Public Inquiry and a financial penalty.
Described as a “truly larger-than-life figure,” Mr Jones also had a passion for football and was a sponsor of Pontypridd United FC.
