Assembly Member Nick Ramsey rightly expresses concerns about poor commuting opportunities from Monmouth by public transport (Calls for light rail to stop in Monmouth once again, Beacon 2nd October). He mentions the proposed Metro Station at Celtic Manor. A fine idea but undoubtedly many years away. 

Surely the right approach is to initially build on what is currently available as a precursor to links to the Celtic Manor, so that improvements can be achieved very quickly.

The existing service 60 Bus runs every two hours from Monmouth to Newport. One bus each day operates via Newport Rail Station. This should be enhanced so that all buses on this route operate via the rail station so that Monmouth has much improved connectivity, providing a two hourly link direct into the extensive existing main line and Metro train services from Newport. To provide for commuting to/from Cardiff, the existing first and last buses could be re-timed so that they connect with trains arriving in Cardiff by 8.15am and returning after 5.15pm. Alternatively an additional express bus could run from Monmouth in the morning to Newport rail station, returning in the evening specifically for commuters to Cardiff etc.

These proposals would require relatively modest funding and could be achieved within a few months. A quick “win” for the Welsh Assembly and Transport for Wales perhaps?

Mike Cornick (Penhow)