From 1st April 2024 there will be changes to the bus service through Devauden.

Following a successful campaign by Devauden bus users and others on the route, the Council have agreed not to cut the number of weekday services. There will also be an increase of one service each way on a Saturday. This has long been argued for by the Friends of the 65 Bus as it will encourage walkers, tourists and other visitors to use the Saturday service.

The new bus service will be operated by Newport Bus and, unfortunately, most of the drivers currently employed by Monmouthshire County Council will not transfer to the new operator. Local residents, Trevor and Cathy Pilling, are organising a collection to show appreciation to the hardworking and helpful drivers.

Anyone who is interested in contributing or signing the thank you card should call in at the shop. The card and collection will be presented to Rob on his last day, 22nd March*.

The recent tenders for new contracts for all bus services across Monmouthshire are a result of new funding arrangements from Welsh Government which have required local authorities to demonstrate "best value for money". One of the aims of the new timetable was to reduce costs by devising a timetable that could be operated with a single vehicle throughout the day. The initial outcome was that there would be five return services per day through Devauden which would have meant the loss of the 7 am service from Chepstow and the bringing forward of the 17.30 from Monmouth to 16.30. That decision has now been reversed and the Council has agreed to reinstate the 7am from Chepstow and the 17.30 from Monmouth on weekdays from April 8th. A revised timetable will be published soon. Catrin Maby (Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment and Monmouthshire County Councillor for Drybridge Ward, Monmouth) said: "Our records show that the numbers using these services have been very low to date, but we are concerned about the impact of rural isolation, and will therefore be re-introducing both of those journeys from the 8th April. We will, however, continue to monitor patronage data to determine the proven demand for these buses and we would therefore strongly encourage everyone to make use of these services so that they can be secured for the longer term."

*Please note that in an earlier version of the day for the presentation was incorrect.