AXED bus routes in Newport could be saved after it was revealed another company is interested in running a regular bus service between Brynglas and the city centre.

The Argus yesterday published details of a decision taken by Newport Transport to cancel all non-profitable bus routes in Rogerstone, Allt-yr-yn and Brynglas from September 1.

Newport Transport said the services are not commercially viable after it lost a major contract to provide school bus services in the city.

But yesterday Labour assembly candidate for Newport West Jayne Bryant, revealed she and Shaftesbury councillors Bob Poole and Paul Cockeram have been in discussion with Newport Transport for services to continue.

Ms Bryant said yesterday: "We now understand that another company is interested in running a regular bus service from Brynglas to the city centre.

“These discussions are ongoing but we will continue to campaign hard for that.”

She said she had a meeting yesterday morning with councillors who had met with Newport Transport. It was revealed another company is interested in replacing the Brynglas route, and may be considering the Rogerstone and Allt-yr-yn routes as well.

She added: "I share residents concerns and I'm particularly worried about the impact on the elderly and vulnerable people who rely on this service.

“We want people to know we are trying to fight for it and campaign. We are having discussions with Newport Transport to find ways around it.”

Allt-yr-yn councillor and Conservative assembly candidate for Newport West, Cllr Matthew Evans, said: “Any solution which assists residents and alleviates concerns will be extremely welcome.

“We will have to wait and see if it will materialise”.

Cllr Evans added that it would have been “far more helpful” for Newport Transport to have had these discussions in the first place.

He said: “It would have been helpful if they had done it the other way round and gone out to public consultation before doing this because many of the residents have some useful suggestions.”

Newport Transport had previously said they are committed to ensuring there is access to alternative transport and is looking at options like on-demand services. The company declined to provide another comment.