Created 17-Jan-20
Modified 8-Mar-24
Railway connecting services were a part of early bus operation but disappeared as buses got faster and more reliable, usually replacing the train service with which they would connect.
They saw a revival in the later part of the twentieth century. The suburban railway services in the Welsh Valleys same something of a renaissance from the 1980s which ultimately resulted in the reopening of lines to Aberdare and Maesteg. To increase the attractiveness of the rail service Mid-Glamorgan County Council introduced some rail link services. The first one relative to this narrative is the one that connected the communities at the head of the Rhondda Fawr with the railhead at Treherbert. The VL1 served a similar function to one of Rhondda's early bus services which connected Blaencwm and Blaenrhondda with the tramway at Tynewydd, only the VL1 ran a bit further, to Treherbert station. It was operated by National Welsh and used one of the former Rhymney Valley Metroriders painted in a special livery, also used on other rail links to Aberdare.
In 1992 the line between Bridgend and Maesteg re-opened to passenger traffic and at the same time some intermediate stations were opened between Bridgend and Cardiff, the stations on that section having been closed by the 1960s. This led to several services which were centred on Pontyclun, Tondu and Maesteg stations. Rhondda Buses won the tender for the initial services starting in 1992 and again chose to use former Rhymney Valley Metroriders. These were painted is a special livery but this differed from the earlier scheme.
Towards the end of their existence Rhondda Buses also became involved in other Rail Link services based at Rhymney and Ystrad Mynach. However, these were operated by Parfitt's, by then owned by Rhondda Buses, and will be dealt with along with other route coverage in that area in due course.
© David Beilby
