From 26th May until at least 12th June there are 5 way temporary traffic lights in Chepstow.  This has been causing severe delays to the 65 bus service and Monmouthshire County Council have therefore decided to re-route the bus for this period as follows:

• From Chepstow bus station the 65 will go via Mounton Road.  This will mean only missing the BP Bus stop ( A48 Newport Road )

We’re pleased to confirm that the 65 bus service is continuing, despite the current difficult circumstances.  The bus is running to its usual timetable WITH THE EXCEPTION OF the 1715 service from Chepstow to Monmouth and all Saturday services, which are temporarily suspended.

We are very grateful to Monmouthshire County Council for recognising the value of this service for essential travel to and from work and the shops. We also owe a great debt of thanks to all the drivers for keeping this service going.

We will update the website whenever there are any changes that affect the service.

In January 2020 we undertook a survey to gain a better understanding of why and when people use the 65 bus. Here are the results: –

65 bus survey analysis and final report March 2020

There are lots of lovely refreshment spots on the 65 bus route.  There are plenty of pubs, cafes and coffee bars in Chepstow and Monmouth.  And there are lovely country pubs and cafes along the route where you can enjoy morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea.  By using the timetables you can plan to travel by bus, enjoy a leisurely break and then return by a later bus.

Pubs and cafes include: –

The Lion Inn, Trellech

The Carpenter’s Arms, Llanishen (lunch Wed-Sun 12-2; coffee and cakes Friday 10-12) Tel: 01600 860812

The Pig and Apple, Penallt (Weds-Sat 10:30am to 8:30pm; Sun 10:30am to 4:30pm)

Trellech Teas (every Friday 2-4:30pm)

Monmouthshire CC has published the Easter timetable for the 65 bus: –

It was a pleasure to meet George Jones (Communities, Equalities & Local Government Lead in the office of the Older People’s Commissiner for Wales). He came to Monmouth to hear the story of setting up the Friends of the 65 Bus & to learn about what we’re doing to promote & develop the service. He said it was refreshing to hear such a good news story about what can be achieved when communities and local authorities work in partnership. He told us that he will be using our work as an example when he talks to others across Wales.

This Spring we’re challenging you to leave your car at home for one day each week and take the bus instead.  Could you use the bus more frequently?  Can you ask your friends and neighbours to use leave their cars at home and take the bus instead?  If you (or they) don’t live on the 65 bus route, you could drive to one of the villages to park, and then take the bus – a sort of Park-and-Ride. It make sense for the environment, saves parking hassles, saves money and helps us promote the bus.  So go on – get out of your car and hop on the bus!

After our first heavy snowfall of the winter, it’s easy to feel like the long dark winter months will never end.  But from our bus we can see the signs of spring – snowdrops, catkins and even some daffodils.  They all grow at various places on the verges along the route.  And the snow on the distant Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons remind us what a beautiful bus route we are lucky enough to enjoy!

St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, making her the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine.  We celebrate her on 25th January.  You can read her story here

Why not make your New Year’s resolution to travel more often on the 65 bus?  And tell your family, friends and neighbours about the bus.  No more worries about finding a car park space; do your bit to address global warming; enjoy the company of other passengers; and, if you have a bus pass, it’s all absolutely FREE!