Lewis Coaches of Llanrhystud ceases trading

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Ceredigion-based Lewis Coaches, which has 30 vehicles, ceased operating its services on Friday, August 12, after Ceredigion Council confirmed it had gone into administration on August 10, the BBC reported.

The Welsh Government said Ceredigion Council would ‘probably maintain the services,’ including school transport.

Lewis Coaches of Llanrhystud is the third bus operator in Wales to collapse in the last two months, following Pembrokeshire operator Silcox Coaches in June and Wrexham-based GHA Coaches.

Ceredigion Council said the 701 commercial bus service from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen and Cardiff, which Lewis Coaches operated, would not continue.

Simon Thomas, Plaid Cymru’s Mid and West AM, said he had written to the Welsh Government asking for assurances about the bus route.

He added: “We are completely reliant here in the west on bus services to provide reliable links between our communities and enable workers, students and tourists to travel.

“Such an essential link cannot be allowed to lapse.”

Lewis Coaches posted a statement on the front page of its website, which read: “It is with great sadness that due to business issues beyond our control, Lewis Coaches will be closing its doors on August 12, 2016.

“We would like to thank all our customers for their loyal custom over the years, and we hope this does not cause any problems for anyone.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have been in close contact with Ceredigion council about the company to minimise any adverse effects of it closing.

“Our discussions to date indicate that the council is very well placed to ensure that the vast majority of services are maintained, including existing school transport.

“We will continue that work with the local authority over the coming days and weeks.”