Monmouthshire bus users are expected to gain from better services.

A series of enhancements will be introduced in September across routes that cover Monmouthshire, with backing from Herefordshire County Council and the Welsh Government.

The upgrades encompass new Sunday operations, additional evening trips, better links to the railway network, and greater capacity during peak periods on the most popular routes.

Councillor Catrin Maby, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member responsible for climate change and the environment, explained that these enhancements matter greatly to communities throughout Monmouthshire.

Reliable public transport plays a vital role in linking residents with employment, education, health services, retail, and recreation, and these modifications will provide locals with greater flexibility regarding how and when they travel.

Improved weekend public transport means more individuals can access what Monmouthshire provides without depending on a private vehicle.

One modification involves launching Sunday operations on route 23 linking Hereford, Abergavenny, Pontypool, and Cwmbran.

Four trips will run in each direction every Sunday, representing the first Sunday service on this route for several decades.

Route 23 will also receive new evening services operating Monday through Saturday, including the first evening bus link between Abergavenny and Hereford for many years.

Evening services between Abergavenny and Cwmbran will be boosted to run every hour.

On working days, an extra morning service will operate between Abergavenny and Pontypool.

Every route 66 service connecting Monmouth and Hereford will be prolonged to Hereford Railway Station to facilitate easier onward travel.

Sunday operations will resume on route 68 serving Abergavenny, Raglan, and Monmouth, with the previous Sunday service having run in 2020.

Four trips in each direction will operate every Sunday.

Extra capacity will be added on route X74 along the Newport, Caldicot, and Chepstow corridor with an additional morning peak journey on weekdays commencing 1 September.

Chepstow will also receive an extra morning service on route C1 running between Thornwell, Bulwark, and the town centre.