As municipal bus operator reaches major milestone, RHODRI CLARK looks back over its history
Surviving to celebrate its 120 anniversary is quite an achievement for Cardiff City Transport Services, which trades as Cardiff Bus. Most of Britain’s municipal bus companies have ceased to trade since bus deregulation in 1986.
The odds have been stacked against Cardiff Bus in recent years but its owner, Cardiff Council, has poured in millions of pounds to secure the company. It regards Cardiff Bus as a provider of a socially important service for the city rather than a vehicle to generate dividends.
Perhaps the darkest clouds have passed. A new central bus station is due to open next year, after years of delay, and the Welsh Government is preparing legislation to give the public sector greater involvement in bus services while curbing the scope for on-road competition.
Starting with trams
The company’s origins lie in the takeover by Cardiff Corporation of electric tramways in the city in 1902. Some of the trams were single-deck, because certain routes passed under low bridges. The fleet also featured some low-height doubledeckers.
The system was managed from offices above the fish market in The Hayes. A substatio…
