A VITAL bus service which was axed by Stagecoach has been saved after being taken over by a new provider.

Phil Anslow Coaches has announced it will be running the service from Llwynu estate to Abergavenny from Monday, October 23.

The service is currently the number 45 but will be renamed the A2.

Phil Anslow, owner of Phil Anslow Coaches, said the company is pleased to take over the much-needed service.

“A bus service is there to look after the passengers,” said Mr Anslow.

“We care about the people, it is not about profits.

“We have a reputation for reliability and customer care and that is the way we will be approaching this.”

Timetables for the new A2 service will be available from tomorrow, October 5, on Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) and Phil Anslow Coaches’ websites.

They will also be available from MCC’s Abergavenny One Stop Shop.

Will Walker, a user of the service, said he was “relieved” the service has been saved.

He said: “It is a very popular service which is why I could not understand it being ended.

“Everyone is happy that the service is being taken over.

“I am very grateful for Phil coming forward. He has helped a lot of people.”

Richard Cope, MCC’s passenger transport unit manager, said: “We’re pleased to confirm that Phil Anslow Ltd will operate a new bus service – A2 – which will replace the Abergavenny to Llwynu Estate 45 service which was operated by Stagecoach.

“The new service will operate from Monday, October 23.

“We are delighted that there will be no loss of service as we recognise the importance of this route to the community.”

Stagecoach previously announced it would end provision of the service from October 22 on a “commercial basis”.

It said the service had declining revenue and increasing operating costs.

Hundreds of people signed petitions protesting against the decision.

A petition set up online gathered a total of 318 signatures.

It stated: “The route is vital to the communities it serves, especially the pensioners, the disabled and young people without access to a car.”