Subject: Rhondda Buses 258 (L840 MWT) Chassis: Optare Metrorider MR01 Body: Optare B31F Location: Cardiff, The Hayes Date: 11-Mar-1995
Not long after coming to South Wales, Rhondda Buses 258 is another example seen working the Cardiff Park and Ride service in The Hayes. Minibuses were found here in quantity after deregulation with National Welsh running quite a number of services to this location.
In the background is the statue of John Batchelor, a radical Liberal who was Mayor of Cardiff in 1854. As someone opposed to the Marquis of Bute at all sorts of levels he was never going to be universally popular and although the statue was erected by public subscription there were many opponents and it was defaced with paint on several occasions.
Behind the Cardiff bus is Hayes Island Snack Bar which utilises what used to be the parcels office for the Cardiff tram system. It is difficult to imagine that this was a major tram corridor, particularly now it is fully pedestrianised.
