This story starts with a rural service operated by Caerphilly UDC to Ty Rhiw, near Taff’s Well.
My understanding is that, following local government reorganisation in 1974 which brought Taff’s Well into Taff-Ely Borough, Rhymney Valley (successors to Caerphilly) were not keen to support a service that only benefitted those outside the district. As a consequence Taff-Ely took on the responsibility of serving Ty Rhiw.
This was done initially by operating a service from Nantgarw to Ty Rhiw with one journey each way running to or from Pontypridd allowing some time for shopping. Operation was principally in the mornings with the last journeys being just after lunchtime.
With the arrival of the two Ford Transits at the end of 1979 a more comprehensive set of services was introduced which looked more complex than it was. Destinations served from Taff’s Well were:
- Gwaelod-y-Garth
- Ty Rhiw
- Moy Road
- Rhiw’ddar
- Tawelfryn/Yr Hendre
All apart from Rhiw’ddar had through journeys to Pontypridd advertised. This service had longer hours of operation but all journeys were still between 0900hrs and 1600hrs.
© David Beilby
