A popular bus stop in Newport must be upgraded to protect passengers from the elements, Natasha Asghar MS has said.
The South East Wales politician’s call for action has been prompted by a series of complaints from constituents using the Kingswood Stop 14 at the Riverfront.
Passengers waiting at the National Express stop have been left completely drenched because the bus stop simply isn’t big enough and provides little shelter.
Concerns have also been raised about the poor lighting in the area at night.
After listening to residents’ concerns, Natasha Asghar MS has written to the leader of Newport City Council to install “larger, multisided shelters to better accommodate passengers and constituents awaiting coaches in poor weather.”
The current bus stop has a very narrow, completely open, shelter and only has room for a handful of people with the rest forced to stand at the road side.
Not only that, but people are forced to cross a busy road, which is very dark at night due to poor lighting, to get a taxi or to get to their car.
Given the bus stop’s high footfall, Natasha has also questioned the council over why it did not create a multimodal transport interchange closer to the train station.
Natasha Asghar MS said:
“We all know the Welsh weather can be horrendous from time-to-time and it is not acceptable that passengers are being exposed to the elements like this.
“The current offering at this busy bus stop is simply not up to scratch so it’s imperative the city council look seriously at carrying out improvements.
“In the grand scheme of things, these are fairly easy changes which will bring big benefits to passengers.”
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Mae'n rhaid uwchraddio safle bysiau poblogaidd yng Nghasnewydd i amddiffyn teithwyr rhag yr elfennau, meddai Natasha Asghar A.
Mae galwad i weithredu yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Ddwyrain De Cymru wedi’i ysgogi gan gyfres o gwynion gan etholwyr sy'n defnyddio Safle 14 Kingswood yng Nglan yr Afon.
Mae teithwyr sy'n aros yn safle’r National Express wedi cael eu gadael yn diferu gan nad yw'r safle bws yn ddigon mawr ac nad yw'n darparu fawr o gysgod.
Mae pryderon hefyd wedi eu codi am y goleuadau gwael yn yr ardal gyda'r nos.
Ar ôl gwrando ar bryderon trigolion, mae Natasha Asghar A wedi ysgrifennu at arweinydd Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd gan ofyn am lochesi "mwy ac amlochrog i ddarparu’n well ar gyfer teithwyr ac etholwyr sy'n aros am fysiau mewn tywydd garw."
Mae gan y safle bws presennol loches gul iawn, hollol agored, a dim ond lle i lond llaw o bobl, gyda’r gweddill yn gorfod sefyll wrth ochr y ffordd.
Nid yn unig hynny, ond mae pobl yn cael eu gorfodi i groesi ffordd brysur, sy'n dywyll iawn yn y nos oherwydd goleuadau gwael, i gael tacsi neu i gyrraedd eu car.
O ystyried bod cymaint yn defnyddio’r safle bws, mae Natasha hefyd wedi cwestiynu'r cyngor pam na wnaeth greu cyfnewidfa drafnidiaeth amlfoddol yn agosach at yr orsaf drenau.
Meddai Natasha Asghar AS:
"Rydyn ni i gyd yn gwybod y gall tywydd Cymru fod yn erchyll o bryd i'w gilydd ac nid yw'n dderbyniol bod teithwyr yn gorfod dioddef bod yn agored i’r elfennau fel hyn.
"Yn syml, nid yw darpariaeth bresennol y safle prysur hwn yn bodloni’r galw felly mae'n hanfodol bod cyngor y ddinas yn edrych o ddifrif ar wneud gwelliannau.
"Wrth ystyried popeth yn ei gyd-destun, mae'r rhain yn newidiadau eithaf hawdd a fydd yn dod â manteision mawr i deithwyr."
