Bus Service Commemorated As It Celebrates Its 100th Birthday

Commemoration activities are being arranged in Denbighshire and Flintshire to celebrate the centenary of the bus service operating between Ruthin and Mold.

To celebrate, a website and commemorative leaflet have now been produced to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the bus route.

In July 1919, Crosville began operating buses between Ruthin and Mold, with two return journeys at a single fare of 2/2d (11p). From 1928, Crosville progressively introduced journeys to the villages between Ruthin and Mold. The service built up during the 1930s but was halved during the Second World War.

In 1949, Crosville introduced a through Ruthin to Chester service, although there were periods when this was later withdrawn. In the 1960s and 1970s, the popularity of the private car resulted in losses. As a consequence, from 1971, Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils began subsidising the route, as they continue to do today.

Crosville Wales took over in 1986 and operated the route till 1998. The route was therefore associated with the Crosville name for almost 80 years.

In 1998, GHA Coaches won the contract and they operated till 2016, after which Stagecoach ran the service for two years. The current operator is M & H Coaches and the service carries some 60,000 passengers a year (which is four times the combined population of Ruthin and Mold).

Tony Ward, Head of Highways and Environment at Denbighshire County Council, said: “This is very much a historic moment in the history of bus services in both counties.  The service has seen some highs and lows as they faced challenges during the Second World War and then the popularity of the motor car.  The service has survived and is now thriving, proving extremely popular over the years and connects Ruthin, Mold and surrounding villages with each other, as well as linking to further transport links”.

Cllr. Carolyn Thomas, Deputy Leader of Flintshire County Council  said; “ I look forward to celebrating the 100^th anniversary of this historical and well utilised service. Whilst patronage levels depleted as a consequence of private car ownership in 1960’s, the Council see this service as playing a key role in the future development of a sustainable transport strategy both within the County of Flintshire and also cross border. A move to sustainable modes of transport will greatly contribute to the authorities commitment to a low carbon future.’’

Brochures are available from Ruthin Library, County Hall Ruthin, Loggerheads Country Park or to download at www.1919.cymru. Printed brochures are subject to availability.

The website can be found at:   www.1919.cymru.