B3 bus service hailed a ‘lifeline’ by Barry pensioner

A 77 year old Barry resident has been so happy with their local bus service, they’ve put pen to paper and composed a praising poem for the B3 bus which they deem a lifeline since their recovery from COVID in 2020.

Kim Lupton, from Lydstep Road, has been using Adventure Travel’s B3 service for decades and became a regular passenger twenty years ago after giving up driving. Using it to visit the town centre to go shopping or the Knap for a walk or meet friends or sometimes just to ride around the route to get out of the house, Kim values the benefits of the bus journey both physically and mentally. To show her appreciation of her local transport provider and the ‘kind and caring’ driver Alwyn Williams, Kim wrote an ode to the B3 citing it as a place to socialize and share stories with other passengers.

Former Fordthorne employee Kim was forced to retire in 2020 after catching Covid and being put into a coma on a ventilator and given a 20% chance of survival. Thankfully, Kim beat the odds and now lives every day as if it’s her last and her local bus is helping her do just that. Kim writes: “If you’re feeling lonely, as many of us do, just jump on board the B3, the rest is up to you. There is chatter, there is laughter, and may stories to tell. Also, it’s noticed if someone is unwell. So that’s our lovely B3, not just a happy, friendly bus, but something very special to every one of us.”

The B3 is run by South Wales transport provider Adventure Travel and subsidised by Vale of Glamorgan Council. The Barry Town Centre circular route runs via Cadoxton Monday to Saturday.

Speaking about the complimentary words submitted about the B3, Managing Director at Adventure Travel Adam Keen said: “At a time when bus companies are in danger of losing government funding and having to make cut-backs, it is extremely heartwarming to receive praise such as this. We are delighted that Kim enjoys her travels on the B3 and uses it as a chance to socialize as well as getting around Barry. We will ensure our driver Alwyn knows his friendly attitude is well-received. This poem is a timely reminder of the social value that bus services bring to so many of our passengers.”

For more information about Adventure Travel, visit www.adventuretravel.cymru.

—

Header Image: Stock image, Adventure Travel