rail linc () is a brand name applied to routes formerly operating under the now-defunct South East Wales Transport Alliance- but now operating under

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History

In a number of cases, the services were set up sometime after rail services to the villages were axed as part of Dr Beeching's rationalisation of the

British Rail British Railways (BR), which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was a state-owned company that operated most rail transport in Great Britain from 1948 to 1997. Originally a trading brand of the Railway Executive of the British Transport Comm ...

network; however some services provide a link to villages that never had a railway station. When the South East Wales Transport Alliance stood down, control of routes passed over to councils to manage and put out to tender. Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council manage the 905, with all others having since been withdrawn

Rail Linc routes

Route 901

The 901 was previously numbered the RL5 but was brought under the 'Rail Linc' brand as what we know today - the 901. The service was originally operated by Clarkes Coaches, but ceased operation in 2011. The 901 was then operated by VR Travel of Merthyr Tydfil up until 2013 where it sold to

. The 901 was put under review by

Caerphilly County Borough Council Caerphilly County Borough Council () is the governing body for Caerphilly County Borough, one of the principal areas of Wales. The last full council elections took place 5 May 2022. Political control The first election to the new council was h ...

as part of their budget cuts in 2020. As of September 2021, it ran hourly between Blackwood and Ystrad Mynach railway station. The 901 was withdrawn after operation on the 22nd of July 2022.

Route 902

The 902 was previously a route that ran between Maerdy and Ystrad Rhondda railway station, and provided by Thomas of Rhondda. The service was operated using a dedicated Optare Solo. The route ceased in 2012 due to low ridership.

Route 903

The 903 was previously a route than ran between Rhigos and

Aberdare railway station Aberdare railway station () serves the town of Aberdare in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is the Terminal station, terminus of the Aberdare branch of the Merthyr Line, 22½ miles (36 km) north-north-west of . Passenger services are provi ...

, and provided by Clarkes Coaches. The service was operated using a dedicated Optare Solo. The route ceased in 2011 due to Clarkes Coaches ceasing trading. The 903 was also previously a route that ran between Rogerstone railway station and

Newport railway station Newport () is the second-busiest railway station in Wales (after Cardiff Central railway station, Cardiff Central). It is situated in Newport city centre and is from measured via , and via . The station was originally opened in 1850 by th ...

and provided by

Stagecoach South Wales Stagecoach South Wales is a bus operator providing services in South East Wales. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group. It is the largest operator of bus services in Wales. History In January 1991, Cheltenham-based Western Travel purch ...

. The service was operated using a dedicated Optare Solo. The 903 was again withdrawn in 2013 due to low ridership.

Route 904

The 904 was previously a route that ran between Caerau and Maesteg railway station, and provided by Llynfi Coaches. The service was operated using a dedicated Optare Solo. The route ceased in 2011 due to low ridership.

Route 905

The 905 is the only surviving route of the rail linc name. The service runs between

Cardiff Airport Cardiff Airport () is an airport in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan. It is the only airport offering commercial passenger services and cargo services in Wales. The airport is owned by the Welsh Government, operating it at arm's length as a commercia ...

and Rhoose Cardiff International Airport railway station, and provided by

. The service was previously operated by

Crossgates Coaches Crossgates CoachesCompanies House extract company no 472634
...

, but passed to NAT Group when Crossgates Coaches ceased trading in 2013.

Route 906

The 906 was previously a route that ran between

Rassau Rassau, sometimes The Rassau (Gwenhwyseg ), is a village and Community (Wales), community located in the historic counties of Wales, historic county of Brecknockshire (Breconshire) and the Preserved counties of Wales, preserved county of Gwent (c ...

and Ebbw Vale Parkway railway station and provided by Clarkes Coaches. The service was operated using a dedicated Optare Solo. The route ceased in 2011 due to Clarkes Coaches ceasing trading.

Route 907

The 907 was previously a route that ran between Rogerstone railway station and

and provided by

Newport Bus Newport Bus (the operating name of Newport Transport Limited) is the main provider of Bus transport in the United Kingdom, bus services in the city of Newport, Wales. A limited company whose shares are wholly owned by Newport City Council, it i ...

. The service was operated using a dedicated Optare Solo for some of the time that the route was in operation. The route ceased in mid-2010 due to low ridership. The route was then brought back as the new 903 in 2012, operated by

. ''See the 'Route 903' section for more information on this.''

Route 908

The 908 was previously a route than ran between

Abertillery Abertillery (; ) is a town and community (Wales), community in Blaenau Gwent County Borough, Wales. It is located in the Ebbw Fach Valley, Ebbw Fach valley, and the Monmouthshire (historic), historic county of Monmouthshire. The surrounding lan ...

and Llanhilleth railway station and provided by Henleys Buses. The route ceased in 2009 due to low ridership.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Sewta
Bus transport brands Bus transport in Wales