News items...................
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Monday 4th November 2024 |
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| The reduced Winter "Sherpa" Timetables commence
Check for official updated times - most of which are gradually being updated on this website
- initially concentrating on Conwy-Gwynedd inter-County connections
Click here for an index of all tables on this website
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Monday 2nd September 2024 |
Llew Jones has made further changes to the connecting
journeys in the Conwy Valley
Most important - the last direct weekday journey of the day from Betws-y-Coed to Llandudno has been
ADVANCED to 1505 --- still connects off the 1340 "S1"
Sherpa from Caernarfon due 1455 |
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Easter Monday 1st April 2024 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines normally operate to their weekday timetable |
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Good Friday 29th March 2024 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines normallyoperate to their weekday timetable |
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Sunday 24th March 2024 |
Extra "T10" journeys operate at weekends - giving an
hourly frequency at the peak times of travel
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Monday 11th December 2023 |
As a result of some minor changes to the times of the
Conwy Valley Line trains, in particular
the advancing of the weekdays mid-morning train from Llandudno..........
..........the mid-morning "S1" Sherpa from
Betws-y-Coed to
Llanberis is ADVANCED to 1103 (on pattern)
Unfortunately, this severs the connection
off the ONLY mid-morning bus from Llandudno |
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Easter Monday 10th April 2023 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines normally operate to their weekday timetable |
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Good Friday 7th April 2023 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines normallyoperate to their weekday timetable |
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Sunday 12th February 2023 |
 |
|
Llew Jones have WITHDRAWN all their "T19" connecting
journeys along the east side of the Conwy Valley leaving only a very limited "19" service along the west side of the
valley
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Monday 2nd January 2023 |
| As New Year's Day falls at a weekend, a Sunday service
will operate throughout Conwy and Gwynedd for both the "Sherpas" and connecting journeys |
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Tuesday 27th December 2022 |
| As Christmas falls at a weekend, a Sunday service
will
operate throughout Conwy and Gwynedd for both the "Sherpas" and connecting journeys |
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Monday 26th September 2022 |
The revised/reduced level of Sherpa journeys commence for the winter period
As an exception, the houry "S1" Sherpa from Betws-y-Coed to Caernarfon
continues to operate hourly until after the local half-term week |
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Late Summer Monday 29th August 2022 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other local
connecting bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
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Late Spring 3rd June 2022 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley (services currently SUSPENDED with Rail Replacement
coaches in lieu) also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
|
Platinum Jubilee Thursday 2nd June 2022 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley (services currently SUSPENDED with Rail Replacement
coaches in lieu) also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
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Early Spring Monday 2nd May 2022 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley (services currently SUSPENDED with Rail Replacement
coaches in lieu) also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
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Easter Monday 18th April 2022 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley (services currently SUSPENDED with Rail Replacement
coaches in lieu) also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
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Good Friday 15th April 2022 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley (services currently SUSPENDED with Rail Replacement
coaches in lieu) also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
|
Saturday 9th April 2022 |
For the first time in two decades, there is a
major change to the 'structure' of the Sherpa network which is also expanded to incorporate some
local services - thus providing better "cross-Snowdonia" journeys - meaning there is now less need
than ever to take cars into the National Park
The most significant changes are routes......
"S1" - Betws-y-Coed
- Pen-y-Pass - Llanberis - Caernarfon
(in lieu of the local "88" and the former "S2")
"S2" - Bangor - Llanberis
- Pen-y-Pass
(in lieu of the local "85" also the former 'Park and Ride' from Llanberis)
"S3" - Beddgelert
- Caernarfon - Deiniolen
(in lieu of the local "83" and 'part' of the former "S4")
"S4" - Porthmadog
- Beddgelert - Pen-y-Pass
(in lieu of the local "S97" and 'part' of the former "S4")
"S5" - "Nant Peris Car Park - Pen-y-Pass "Park and Ride"in lieu of the former "S1" from Llanberis)
also the
"T10" TrawsCymru
Bangor - Llyn Ogwen - Capel Curig - Betws-y-Coed
- Corwen experimental service to provide daily
connections into and out of the new hourly "S1" Sherpa at
Capel Curig |
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Monday 3rd January 2022 |
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As New Year falls at a weekend, a Sunday service will operate
throughout Gwynedd for both the "Sherpas" and connecting journeys
Normal weekday services re-commence on Tuesday 4th January |
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Monday 27th December 2020 |
| As Christmas falls at a weekend, a Sunday service will operate
throughout Gwynedd for both the "Sherpas" and connecting journeys |
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Monday 1st November 2021 |
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|
The "S2" "S4" and "S97" winter Sherpa timetables were reduced
for the winter
The extra summer Sherpa routes "S1" and "S6" were SUSPENDED from the same date
and are expected to be re-introduced from Easter 2022
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Monday 6th September 2021 |
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|
Yet further changes to the weekday
"88"
timetable will commence --- improving some "S2" connections at Llanberis..........
..........but there are also some very short margins between arrivals and onward departures which
are NOT included in the TravelineCymru "Journey Planner" |
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Saturday 31st July 2021 |
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|
A new daily two-hourly "T10" TrawsCymru service between
Bangor-Betws-y-Coed-Corwen service now augments the weekend only "S6" Sherpa service
along the Ogwen Valley
It has re-instated regular direct journeys between
Betws-y-Coed and Llyn Ogwen (for Tryfan) |
|
Wednesday 23rd June 2021 |
Following weeks of traffic chaos in the Caernarfon area,
a TEMPORARY revised, reduced level "88"
timetable will commence to try and improve timekeeping
Passenegrs intending to connect with the Sherpa at Llanberis should
familiarise themselves with the changes before setting out |
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Late Spring Public Holiday Monday 31st 2021 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
|
Saturday 29th May 2021 |
| The former connecting "X19" service along the
East Side of the Conwy Valley will become past of the TrawsCymru network and be renumbered "T19" |
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Monday 12th April 2021 |
Most of the non-Sherpa connections which
were again suspended during the coronavirus precautions period are re-instated throughout the area
providing "good" connections in the morning at Betws-y-Coed and Porthmadog into the Sherpa network
Very worrying - Llew Jones has made a "silly"
sub-standard connection at 1715, just when visitors to Snowdonia want to
return home !!!!!
Even worse passengers off
the additional late summer Sherpa now have to wait a FURTHER
hour at Betws-y-Coed before being able to continue to Llandudno |
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Easter Monday 5th April 2021 |
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|
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley (services currently SUSPENDED with Rail Replacement
coaches in lieu) also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
|
Good Friday 2nd April 2021 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a
light blue background) on the
Conwy Valley (services currently SUSPENDED with Rail Replacement
coaches in lieu) also the
Cambrian Coast railway lines
operate to their weekday timetable |
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Saturday 27th March 2021 |
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The level of service
on the "S2" route is again double from five to ten journeys each way and the former
'School Days Only' extensions to Llanrwst operate 'daily'
Both the seasonal "S1" and "S6" services (augmented on School Holiday weekends) have been
re-instated for the summer
In addition, later "S4" journeys have been re-introduced through the Nant Gwynant Pass
to/from Beddgelert from both Pen-y-Pass - with the last journey from Pen-y-Pass to Beddgelert extended
to Caernarfon
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Thursday 14th January 2021 |
Once again it was necessary to introduce a skeleton Sherpa
service as the Coronavirus Precations took effect again
Just one "S2"round trip operates between Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed every day and a very much reduced
'one bus' service covers the basic "S4" and "S97" journeys on weekdays only - with no service between Beddgelert
and Pen-y-Pass
PLEASE REMEMBER THESE JOURNEYS ARE CURRENTLY FOR "ESSENTIAL" LOCAL TRAVEL ONLY
- as defined by Welsh Law |
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Christmas Day - Friday 25th December 2020 |
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There are no local bus services (including the whole of the "Snowdon Sherpa Network")
on Christmas Day..........
..........despite this being the only day during the lastest "lockdown" that two households can meet over Christmas - meaning
anyone with a car is being penalised
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Monday 9th November 2020 |
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|
Llew Jones has made further changes to the connecting
journeys in the Conwy Valley which
means several former 'long-standing' journeys NO LONGER CONNECT with the Sherpas - PARTICULARLY RFETURNING IN
THE AFTERNOON
In most cases the is an alternative train on the
Conwy Valley line
- unfotunately still requiring a "wait" at Betws-y-Coed.....
.....but far better than a "much longer wait" for the next bus !
The most noticable change was the WITHDRAWAL of the timetabled bus connections from
Corwen -
but this was replaced by a new "Fflecsi service in
in the area operated by Alpine |
|
Saturday 24th October 2020 |
REVISED start date for the "S2" "S4" and "S97" winter Sherpa timetables
- advanced from early-November, due to the Welsh Coronavirus precautions two week
"Lock Down"
Summer Sherpa routes "S1" and "S6" were SUSPENDED from the same date
Llew Jones connecting Conwy Valley "19" and "X19" journeys were also reduced for the period
of the "Lock Down" |
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Tuesday 1st September 2020 |
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With local schools re-opening, there were NUMEROUS changes to many
of the connecting journeys - most of which have resulted in an increased frequency........
..........BUT the changes by Llew Jones in the
Conwy Valley meant several former 'long-standing' journeys NO LONGER CONNECTED with the Sherpas
- particularly returning in the afternoon
The most noticable change was the WITHDRAWAL of a connection from Llandudno into the
first "S2" Sherpa of the day (except on "TUESDAYS
ONLY" using the local route "70" market day journey to Corwen as a "link" between Llanrwst and
Betws-y-Coed !!!!! |
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Monday 17th August 2020 |
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|
Most of the Snowdon Sherpa network returned to the pre-Coronavirus
restrictions level.........
..........with the exception of the Sunday "S4" and "S97" routes which remained SUSPENDED on Sundays
To assist with "Social Distancing, the majority of "S2" journeys were operated by larger
double-deck buses instead of the usual mini-buses |
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Saturday 11th July 2020 |
Additional "S1" and "S2" Saturday Sherpa journeys were added to give
more or less the normal peak-summer level..........
..........although on other days of the week, the normal winter level of journeys continued |
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Tuesday 29th June 2020 |
 |
Some additional "S2" Sherpa journeys were re-instated following easement
of the Coronoavirus precautions, but nowhere near the "usual" level
However the "skeleton" service for 'locals only' remained on the "S97" and "S4" routes |
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Tuesday 14th April 2020 |
Caelloi increase the level of their weekday connecting
"3" service from/back to Pwllheli - which augments the basic Arriva service - to hourly during
the daytime
All weekday evening and Sunday journeys continue to be operated by Arriva (unaltered) |
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Easter Monday 13th April 2020 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
|
Good Friday 10th April 2020 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
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Saturday 4th April 2020 |
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DEFERRED "until further notice"
due to the coronavirus restrictions |
The Summer "Sherpa" Timetables commence
The level of service
on the "S2" route is again EXPECTED to double from five to ten journeys each way
Both the seasonal "S1" and "S6" services SHOULD be re-instated for summer weekends
In addition, later journeys are EXPECTED to be re-introduced to/from Beddgelert
from both Pen-y-Pass and Porthmadog - also Caernarfon on weekdays - similar to 2019
Also, there are minor changes to the weekday Gwynfor connecting services "85" and "88" from
Bangor and Caernarfon respectively
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Sunday 12th January 2020 |
Arriva make numerous changes to their services in the area
- whilst this will NOT change any Sherpa journey, it will mean changes to several connections
- especially at Porthmadog from Pwllheli
and Blaenau Ffestioniog
| BEWARE - several journeys are considerably EARLIER than
previously
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Monday 4th November 2019 |
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| |
The "S2" service is again halved for the winter with the last journey in
each direction withdrawn
There are also retimings to some "S4" and "S97" journeys with the summer 1450 and 1745 journeys
form Beddgelert along with the 1430 and 1810 from Pen-y-Pass along the Nant Gwynant Pass withdrawn
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Sunday 14th July 2019 |
There are many "late" changes to the times of the Sunday
connecting "88" service operated by Dilwyns
from and back to
Caernarfon
..........note specially - on Sundays journeys from Caernarfon operate via the by-pass direct to the Interchange
stop before returning along the Llanberis main street |
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Spring Public Holiday Monday 27th May 2019 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
|
Monday 20th May 2019 |
The frequency of the weekday connecting "88"
service from and
back to Caernarfon has been
reduced to just hourly throughout the day.....
.....despite Gwynfor's own website continuing to show the withdrawn journeys !!!!! |
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Easter Monday 22nd April 2019 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
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Good Friday 19th April 2019 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
|
Saturday 13th April 2019 |
The Summer Sherpa Timetables commence..........
The level of service
on the "S2" route was again doubled from five to ten journeys each way
The seasonal "S1" and "S6" services were re-instated for summer weekends
In addition later journeys were re-introduced to/from Beddgelert from both
Pen-y-Pass and Porthmadog - also Caernarfon on weekdays |
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Monday 1st April 2019 |
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Gwynfor took over the
weekdays and
Sunday connecting "85"
service from and back to Bangor
The level of service is reduced and all evening journeys are withdrawn
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Sunday 31st March 2019 or Saturday 30th March 2019 ??? |
After the last journeys of the day, Arriva will cease to operate
connecting services from both Bangor
(on weekdays and Sundays) and
Caernarfon (on Sundays)
This is based on the statement on the Arriva website which shows
" From Sunday 31st March 2019, Arriva will no longer operate tendered services 1E, 1NS, 67C,
67L 82, 83, 85, X85, 86, 88, 91 in Gwynedd. "
..........notwithstanding the fact some of the revised tables on the Gwynedd CC website only show new operators
taking over from Monday 1st April !!!!! |
details of who will take and any possible changes to times to follow
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Monday 10th December 2018 |
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Gwynfor has made further changes to the
"times" of their "88" weekday connecting service
from and back to Caernarfon
The "two hour gap" between journeys at lunchtime has been "plugged" but the extra
journeys during the workers "peaks" are cut back to Mondays to Fridays only |
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Monday 19th November 2018 |
Llew Jones has made further changes to the
"times" of their "X19" weekday connecting service
from and back to Llandudno |
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Start of Winter Timetable - Monday 5th November 2018 |
 |
|
The number of "S2" Sherpa journeys between
Betws-y-Coed and Llanberis also the
return direction have been reduce to the same level of service as last winter
The additional summer only
"S1 Park and Ride" Sherpa service between Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass
and the weekend "S6" Sherpa service through the Ogwen
pass are withdrawn for the winter
Major changes have been made to the "S4" and "S97" services to help improve preformance
Llew Jones drastically reduced the "level" of their "X19" connecting service
from and back to Llanudno |
|
Tuesday 29th May 2018 |
Llew Jones will commence a new 1840 weekdays
and Sundays "19" journey from Betws-y-Coed to
Llandudno
This is planned to immediately connect off the last "S2" Sherpa from Llanberis due 1832 instead of the current
'over three hours' wait
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Spring Public Holiday Monday 28th May 2018 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
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Monday 16th April 2018 |
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Lloyds have re-introduced a direct "39" Barmouth to Porthmadog connecting service along the coast
road which also serves Harlech
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Monday 9th April 2018 |
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Arriva made changes to their "1B" "3" "85" and "88" services
These include some improved connections at Llanberis from/to both Caernarfon and Bangor during
the late-afternoon and early-evening
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Easter Monday 2nd April 2018 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
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Good Friday 30th March 2018 |
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The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
|
Sunday 25th March 2018 |
Gwynfor Coaches take over the former Arriva Sunday "S97"
Sherpa service will in future will be split into "S97" and "S4" at Beddgelert to match weekdays
The "missing" Sunday mid-morning journeys through the Nant Gwynant Pass are re-instated
after several years
Although not shown as such on the officil websites, most journeys work through
(sometimes diverting via Rhyd Ddu - see
this website for full details
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Sunday 18th March 2018 |
Arriva operated their final Sunday "S97" Sherpa
service (including one journey starting from Pwllheli) - thus ending their direct involvement with the
Sherpa Network, although they continue to operate connecting journeys to both Llanberis and
Porthmadog
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Tuesday 2nd January 2018 |
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|
As a result of Express Motors ceasing trading, there were
numerous changes to both the Sherpa timetables (now operated by Gwynfor Coaches) also many connecting
journeys - in some cases they level of connecting service being halved
A summary showing the latest information advised to me can be found
here
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|
Sunday 7th May 2017 until further
notice |
The only Sunday morning "X19" journey from Llandudno is retimed to start 1005
In future it will also provided a much later direct connection from Colwyn Bay (depart 1005)
at the Black Cat roundabout
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Easter Monday 17th April 2017 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
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Good Friday 14th April 2017 |
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|
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" (and all other connecting local bus routes)
operate a normal SUNDAY timetable as it is a public holiday
However the connecting train services (shown against a light
blue background) on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to their
weekday timetable |
|
Thursday 12th January 2017 |
An "S2" Sherpa leaves a deserted snowy Pen-y-Pass |
|
Heavy snow falls and drifting caused the "S2"
Sherpa service to be completely withdrawn from lunchtime on Thursday 12th January for a couple of days |
|
Monday 2nd Janaury 2017 |
As New Year's Day fell on a Sunday, all bus services in the area
(including the Snowdon Sherpa journeys) operatedto the Sunday timetables
Full weekday services re-commenced on Tuesday 2nd January |
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 |
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Tuesday 3rd May 2016 until further
notice |
The level of the Express Motors weekday "X1" connecting service between
Llandudno and Betws-y-Coed will be
increased..........
..........including a new earlier connection at 0810 from Llandudno into the first "S2" Sherpa of the day
as well as an additional later connection off the last 'summer-only' "S2" Sherpa |
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 |
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Sunday 3rd April 2016 until further
notice |
The level of the Sunday "88" connecting service from
and back to Caernarfon will be reduced to 8 journeys
each way and there are changes to the times of many journeys..........
..........but those that remain provide improvred connections with the "S2" Sherpas at Llanberis |
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Monday 28th December 2015 |
Unlike previous years - a Sunday bus service will opeate throughout most of North Wales,
including the
SNOWDON SHERPA NETWORK
Whilst this will not effect the "S2" Sherpa service
(as it is the same service every day at this time of the year)
there will be NO "S4" Sherpa service and there will be the usual reduced
"S97" Sunday Sherpa service
- if you are planning to travel on this day, you are STRONGLY advised to contact the
operators concerned direct for confirmation that the journey/s you intend to use (especially any connecting journeys)
will be operating
Arriva Trains planned to operate a normal weekday service on both the Conwy Valley and Cambrian
Coast lines
BUT SERVICES ON THE CONWY VALLEY LINE ARE SUSPENDED DUE TO FLOODING
Normal weekday bus services re-commence on Tuesday 29th December |
|
Sherpa Network and most connecting journeys
SUNDAY TIMETABLE
Arriva Wales trains
Normal weekday service |
|
Monday 6th July 2015 |
 |
|
Bws Peris ceased opeating the "88" connecting timetabled journeys from/to Caeernarfon..........
..........but are still operating both large and small private hire coaches in the area |
|
Start of Spring Timetable - Saturday 28th March 2015 |
The level of the Saturday, Sunday and School Holidays "S2" Sherpa between Betws-y-Coed and Llanberis was doubled giving virtually
an hourly service including late journeys for walkers
However the current basic winter service is retained on summer Schooldays with different starting times - it also means the last eastbound
journey back from Pen-y-Pass will be at 1650 - even during mid-July !
Additional Park and Ride journeys have again been re-introduced for the summer BUT ONLY
OPERATING ON SATURDAYS - this gives a half-hourly service up the Llanberis Pass for most of the morning to Pen-y-Pass and the same back from Pen-y-Pass
in the afternoon
It is always possible there will be some further minor late changes to some journeys after teh new service has been given time to bed
down |
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Friday 27th March 2015 until further notice |
 |
|
With just 24 hours notice, a completely revised "S4" service was introduced with one less journey each way compared to the
winter timetable
The last journeys from Caernarfon, Beddgelert and Pen-y-Pass were all retimed by up to 20 minutes EARLIER ! |
|
Monday 16th February 2015 until further notice |
The weekday "88" connecting journeys between Llanberis and
Caernarfon previously operated by "Tacsi Gwynedd" will be
withdrawn after the end of service on Saturday 14th February 2015
The "88" journeys operated by Express Motora and Bws Peris will continue to operate as normal
BEWARE - in consequence the former Tacsi Gwynedd 1802 "88" connection
off the last Sherpa from Betws-y-Coed
will no longer operate - the next service to Caernarfon will be the Express Motors journey at 1915
|
|
 |
|
Sunday 14th September 2014 until further notice |
 |
|
A revised Sunday connecting "X19/19" bus service will replace the Summer Sunday train service on
the Conwy Valley line for the winter
BEWARE - in future, this will only extend as far as Dolwyddelen and there will be no Sunday service over the Crimea Pass to Blaenau
Ffestiniogas the former "X84/84" journeys no longer operate - limited connections will continue to be available by using the
Sherpa service via Porthmadog |
|
Sunday 7th September 2014 |
This is the last day the daily extra early-evening Llew Jones "S2" journeys at 1800 and 1900 from Pen-y-Pass
will operate back to Betws-y-Coed
After that date, the last return Sherpa will depart 1650 so make sure you are down from Snowdon in time |
|
 |
|
Saturday 31st May 2014 until further
notice |
ALL Sherpa "S1/S2/S3/S4/S6" services previously operated by Padarn will now be
worked by a different opertor
The number of "S2" journeys between Betws-y-Coed and
Llanberis was reduced by Gwynedd CC to just FOUR each way with the last one
CONSIDERABLY earlier than currently advertised in most official publications
Ths current level of weekday "S4" journeys will continue for
the time being, BUT unfortunately the Sunday service has been
WITHDRAWN |
|
 |
| Several former connections at Pen-y-Pass are no longer available and the number of journeys on the connecting
services from both Caernarfon and Bangor has been virtually halved |
|
Mondays to Saturdays 19th May 2014 until further
notice |
|
|
The previous hourly Arriva "19"/"84" connecting service via Conwy and Trefriw
was replaced by a new two-hourly faster "X19" service to Betws-y-Coed operating direct between
Llandudno Junction and Llanrwst
This new service will only operate
until Saturday 27th September |
|
Sunday 30th June 2013 until further notice
According to the TravelineCymru website........... |
 |
|
.........Express Motors have only registered their Sunday "2S" connecting
service from Barmouth to/from Porthmadog to operate until Sunday 23rd June
Gwynedd CC subsequently confirmed the previously advertised 'subsidised' Sunday service would continue to run unaltered until Sunday 4th
August
02.08.13 - TravelineCymru subsequently updated their website to show the service runnng again - but only
until Sunday 11th August - although it has continued running ever since in reality
| |
|
Daily 10th June 2013 until further notice |
Express Motors registered additional daily 'commercial' "X1" Summer Only journeys along the Conwy
Valley - some of which offer improved connections to/from the Sherpa Network at Betws-y-Coed
These were included in the Conwy CC summer timetable and the Gwynedd CC website as well as being displayed on the bus departure boards at stops
along the route
| |
 |
1030, 1300, 1530 and 1710 ex-Llandudno and 0925, 1200, 1420 and 1620 ex-Betws-y-Coed
were the proposed extra journeys |
|
Mondays to Fridays 15th April 2013 until further notice |
 |
|
An amendment was "slipped into" Table "S97" on the
Gwynedd CC website applicable from Monday 8th April (despite the index page date remaining 22nd January)
It showed the 1620 Sch and 1645 S+PSH journeys from Beddgelert retimed EARLIER and NO LONGER connected off the
1545 "S4" Sherpa from Caeernarfon
or the 1620 "S4" Sherpa from Pen-y-Pass
This meant walkers returning from Snowdon NOW had to wait OVER AN HOUR in Bedgelert for the next (and now "last of the day") onward
service to Porthmadog at 1745 $
|
A REALLY BIZZARE BACKWARD STEP BY EXPRESS MOTORS AND THE COUNCIL
WHICH BROKE UP EVEN MORE OF THE FORMER JOINED-UP
"INTEGRATED SHERPA NETWORK"
$ - in 2012 there was a good 8 minute connection off the
1620 Sherpa from Pen-y-Pass and the
previous year there was also a very popular later
walkers through return Sherpa from Pen-y-Pass at 1815
- which connected from Bews-y-Coed, Llanberis and Tryfan
no wonder even more people than ever are being forced to take their cars into Snowdonia |
|
Mondays to Fridays 8th April 2013 until further notice |
The 1520
School Days "497" Porthmadog to Beddgelert journey - which forms part of the last weekday afternoon return connecting service from Porthmadog to
Betws-y-Coed - has been replaced by Express Motors - in the end despite many rumours to the contrary they are now running in the same times as
Berwyn did prior to Easter, but operating under the Snowdon Sherpa "S97" banner rather than the former "497"
|
|
Note - sometimes the vehicle used on this journey is painted 'red'
- NOT the standard Express Motors 'yellow' ! |
|
Sundays 7th April 2013 until further notice |
 |
|
As a result of a re-allocation of contracts by Gwynedd CC - the Sunday/Public Holiday "S97" timetable is now being
operated by Arriva
As the current lightly loaded "99" extensions to Morfa Bychan are still operated commercially by Express Motors these NOW require a second
driver and a second bus to be in operation at Porthmadog on Sundays - It is understood it would be illegal for Gwynedd CC to allow these extensions
to continue with "subsidised" Arriva vehicles to rival an existing "commercial" service
Just to make things worse, Express Motors advanced their last journey from Porthmadog to 17.15 so it NO LONGER connects off the 1640 "S97"
Arriva Sherpa from Pen-y-Pass --- what ever happened to the statutory 56 days notice for changes to a commercial service ?
|
All in all a rather poor decision by Gwynedd CC which in the short term has severed through
working (resulting in non-recognised 2 minute connections replacing through workings
- some of which were observed on the first Sunday (7th April) to have "failed"
These "99" journeys will have to continue for the statutory 56 days......
......after which the entire Sunday service between Porthmadog and Borth-y-Gest/Morfa Bychan may well be completely withdrawn at the end of
the summer season as "no longer viable in isolation" !!!
UPDATE.........
Inevitably - as predictated - the Sunday service was withdrawn at the start of the autumn.................
thus forcing yet more visitors to have to take their cars into Snowdonia to climb the mountains which is contrary to the Council's
"green" policy for tourism
|
|
|
Public Holiday Easter Monday 1st April 2013 |
The "Snowdon Sherpa Network" operates a normal SUNDAY services on all routes
However the connecting train service (shown against a light blue background)
on the Conwy Valley and
Cambrian Coast railway lines will operate to the
weekday timetable
The Llanberis pass was re-opened in time for Easter, but there was still a large amount of snow around which restricted the number
of visitors compared with a normal Public Holiday requiring only small Sherpas to operate the services
|
|
Both "S2" and "S4" Padarn Sherpas inter-connect
at Pen-y-Pass at 1145 on Easter Monday |
|
Saturday 23rd to Thursday 28th March 2013 |
Heavy snow blocked the Llanberis Pass to all vehicles for several days and
during the interuption, a modified "S2"/"S3"/"S6"timetable
operated between Bethesda - Capel Curig - Betws-y-Coed - Llanrwst only until the Pass was eventually cleared late on Maundy Thursday
At the same time the "S4" only operated between Caernarfon and Beddgelert |
|
Monday 25th March 2013 until further notice |
The 0810 "X6" orange C.C.T. mini-bus is no longer advertised in the Conwy CC timetable
to run between Llandudno and Llanrwst
Early morning passengers from Llandudno must now
use the alternative
"19" and "84" Arriva services - but check the times carefully as they are completely different on Weekdays and Saturdays
|
| In particular - please note there is NO Sherpa connection at Llanrwst off the 0730 "19" Arriva
journey from Llandudno on SATURDAYS - you MUST change at Llandudno Junction station onto the
0810 SO "84" Arriva direct to Betws-y-Coed |
 |
The service was advertised to be operated by Conwy Community Transport but this was
"temporarily " changed to :Llew Jones from 9th February
According to TravelincCymru the service should return to C.C.T. operation after Saturday 23rd March
However was subsequently confirmed Llew Jones will continue to operate the service until at least the middle of May.
but NO LONGER running north of Llanrwst on Mondays to Fridays
also Saturdays (the first and
last journeys now serve Llanrwst - although not shown in the
official Conwy CC timetable booklet
|
|
|
Conwy.Community.Transort
(based at Llandudno Junction)
Arriva
(based at Llandudno Junction)
 Llew Jones
(based at Llanrwst)
|
Saturday 23rd March
2013 until further notice
Start of the Spring Sherpa timetable.......
|
Conwy CC in their winter 2012-13 timetable supplement show the autumn "S2" journeys from
Llanberis to Betws-y-Coed at 1300 and 1745 together with the
return workings at 1420 and 1825 to be re-instated for the spring period.....
.....also limited additional Park and Ride "S1" journeys - mainly at weekends -
including the daily 1100 Llanberis to Pen-y-Pass ("S97" connection to Beddgelert) are expected to re-commence for the season
Gwynedd CC on their official website show all services within their county to run until 31st March 2013 - in consequence the "S4" and "S97"
services along the south and west sides of Snowdonia are expected to
remain unaltered on both weekdays and Sundays - at least until Easter Sunday 31st March 2013 - if not all summer
|
|
|
|
Friday 18th January 2013 |
Heavy snow blocked many roads throughout Snowdonia resulting in the withdrawal of the
Sherpa services for a couple of days
Services were back to normal from Monday 21st January |
New Year 2012-2013
|
There are NO bus services
in the Gwynedd and Conwy Council areas of Snowdonia
(including all the Sherpa Network)
on New Year's Day
|
|
 |
Christmas 2012
|
| |
 |
|
There are NO bus services in the
Gwynedd or Conwy Council areas of Snowdonia
(including all the Sherpa Network)
on Christmas Day or Boxing Day
|
Tuesday 27th November 2012
|
A landslide between Llanberis and Penygwryd prevented any vehicle operating via Pen-y-Pass
Sherpa services "S2/S3/S6" services were initially suspended, but from 1200 they were diverted via Bethesda and the A5
for the next couple of days
|
Thursday 22nd November 2012
|
Llanberis Main Street - late 22nd November 2012 |
|
Severe flooding caused problems by blocking many roads throughout Snowdonia resulting in the Sherpa services being withdrawn for the
rest of the day
Most services resumed on the following morning, but the "S4" was suspended between Beddgelert and Waunfawr due to a landslide
|
Monday 5th November
2012 until further notice
Start of the Winter Sherpa timetable....... |
It is understood the following short-working S2 "ghost" buses
which currently erroneously appear on the official TravelineCymru website will not operate !!!!
1808 SX Capel Crrig to Betws-y-Coed
1420 SX Llanrwst to Betws-y-Coed
1808 SO Capel Crrig to Betws-y-Coed
1420 SO Llanrwst to Betws-y-Coed
1808 Sun Capel Crrig to Betws-y-Coed
1420 Sun Betws-y-Coed to Capel Curig
|
|
|
The autumn "S2" journeys from Llanberis to Betws-y-Coed
at 1300 and 1745 together with the return workings at 1420 and 1825 will be
withdrawn for the winter
The "S4" and "S97" services along the south and west sides of Snowdonia
are planned to remain unaltered on both weekdays and Sundays
The Arriva "public consultation" proposals to retime certain Conwy Valley connecting services have been deferred to a later date
However, there are some minor re-timings to a few other connecting journeys
All connections shown in the timetables on this website have been updated to reflect the latest known position
|
Sunday 28th October
2012 until further notice
|
As a result of the "clocks going back by an hour" this will now be the last day of the extra
summer "S1" Park and Ride journeys despite being officially advertised in some publications to continue until the following weekend
|
|
|
|
Monday 24th September 2012 until further notice |
|
|
There will be alterations to the connecting services from both
Llandudno at Betws-y-Coed and
Barmouth at Porthmadog
Despite TravelineCymru erroneously showing
the 1010 mid-morning connecting "X1" service from Llandudno to start at
1000 AND RUN TEN MINUTES EARLIER throughout between
Monday 24th September and
Saturday 6th October 2012
Conwy CC have now confirmed both the
1000 and 1010 "X1" journeys will run on these dates
|
|
|
Saturday 15th September 2012 until further notice |
|
|
New "Conwy Valley Line" winter timetable
On Mondays to Fridays the mid-morning and lunchtime connecting train services now
start EARLIER than curently advertised in some official publications
Llandudno dep 10.08 13.08
Llandudno Junction dep 10.28 13.30
Betws-y-Coed arr 10.56 13.58
The Saturday departures remain at 1022 and 1322
|
New Year 2011-2012
|
There are NO bus services
in the Gwynedd and Conwy Council areas of Snowdonia
(including all the Sherpa Network)
on New Year's Day
|
|
|
Christmas 2011
|
|
|
There are NO bus services in the
Gwynedd or Conwy Council areas of Snowdonia
(including all the Sherpa Network)
on Christmas Day or Boxing Day
|
|
Monday 12th September
2011 until further notice |
Start of the autumn timetable
This is the basic "all year round" timetable augmented by daily extra "S1" morning Sherpa Services between Llanberis/Nant Peris car park and
PenyPass also additional afternoon "S2" Sherpa Services between Llanberis/PenyPass and BetwsyCoed
In addition, the new early-evening "S97" weekday Sherpa services will continue to operate during the autumn through the
Nant Gwynant Valley (for the Watkin path) with connections at PenyPass to/from both
Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed (also an onward "84" connecting service back to Llandudno)
The eastbound service will also connect off the Welsh Highland Railway's
mid-afternoon service from Caernarfon at Beddgelert |
|
|
| Sunday 11th September 2011
|
|
|
Last day of the Padarn's advertised "open-top" additional summer "S2" Sherpa services from Llanberis to
BetwsyCoed and return |
Thursday 8th September
2011
REVISED last day of the seasonal Express Motors weekdays only "197" service from Porthmadog to Pont
Croesor station (for the Welsh Highland Railway and the Ospray Centre) |
| Due to the closure of Tremadog Square for the Cob 200
"Street Party" over the weekend of 9th to 11th September, there was no "197" open-top bus service between
Porthmadog and Pont Croesor that weekend |
|
linking Porthmadog with the WHRly
 |
| Sunday 4th September
2011 |
Last day of the Arriva "S6"/"S2" additional summer Sherpa services from Bangor to Llanberis via Bethesda,
BetwsyCoed and PenyPass and return
|
|
 |
|
Monday 1st August 2011 until further
notice |
The early evening "S97" weekday services......
(1710 Porthmadog to PenyPass - retimed to 1715
and 1815 PenyPass to Porthmadog)
previously operated by Willliams were taken
over by Express Motors |
|
|
 |
|
This resulted in the Mondays and
Thurdays only service "99B" to Rhyd also
the Tuesdays and Fridays only service "98"
to Croesor being been withdrawn
(due to loss of traffic and transfer to rival commercial
services along the core part of the route)
These had provided a useful services all year
round to connect into the Welsh Highland railway at
Pont Croesor station |
|
Fridays and Sundays from 22nd July 2011 until further
notice |
| |
The "Welsh Highland Railway"
introduced extra 'connecting shuttle'
trains over their "new" line to
Porthmadog Harbour |
|
|
| |
Padarn Sherpa
Express Sherpa
|
Why not leave you car behind and travel on the Sherpa network from the North Wales Coast or BetwsyCoed
through the scenic Nant Gwynant Pass
to join the trains at Beddgelert ?
(N.Wales Coast -) BetwsyCoed - Beddgelert by Sherpa bus
Bedgelert - PontCroesor - Porthmadog by train
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Depart BetwsyCoed (Sherpa S2) at 0845 or 1120* on Fridays or
Sundays
* alternatively depart 1050 and have time for a coffee
at PenyPass --- advertised to be an open top
bus !
Click here for full details of all the connecting services from North Wales Coast
stations to Porthmadog or Caernarfon (WHRly) |
| Saturday 28th May 2011
until further notice |
|
|
Arriva re-introduce limited summer Sherpa services from Bangor to Llanberis via Bethesda, BetwsyCoed and PenyPass
and return on Saturdays and Sundays (also Mondays to Fridays during School Holidays) - shown in "BLUE" on the
appropriate timetables
Please note Arriva return and Day/Weekly Rover tickets are NOT valid on any Padarn service, so purchase a
£5.40 Gwynedd Red Rover (valid all day) unless you intend to travel solely on the Arriva
services
Also an enhanced "S1" Sherpa "Park and Ride" shuttle service between Nant Peris Car Park and PenyPass
|
|
Saturday 18th December 2010 |
HEAVY SNOW !!!!!
All bus services in the area, including the Sherpa network, were suspended on Friday 17th December
The same situation continued throughout the weekend and the connecting Conwy Valley Railway services were also suspended |
This is what happened when Sherpa "S2" (bus "314")
tried to provide a service in similar conditions
on Wednseday 31st March !!!! |
| Sunday 6th September 2009 |
 |
|
All the summer timetables finished for 2009
This was the last year Arriva and Silver Star operated any weekday Sherpa services
and also the end of
"through" Sherpa journeys from Llandudno |
|
 |
| Monday 20th July 2009 until further notice |
|
|
The three daily round trips by an open-top double deck
bus between Porthmadog and Beddgelert Station operated
by EXPRESS MOTORS were reinstated on Mondays to Saturdays only with some
minor retimings to those that applied earlier in the year.....
1145, 1330 and 1625 Porthmadog to Beddgelert
1215, 1400 and 1700 Beddgelert to Porthmadog
in order to connect into/out of the extended Welsh Highland
Railway at Beddgelert station
As the "197" was a "commercial service" both Gwynedd Red Rovers and North Wales Day Rovers were not accepted |
| Sunday 31st May 2009 until further notice |
|
|
"Owing to lack of partonage" during the low-summer period the three daily "S197" round trips
by an open-top double deck bus between Porthmadog and Beddgelert Station opereted by EXPRESS
MOTORS were WITHDRAWN at the end of May
leaving the regular all-year "S97" Sherpa service to provide all the connections into the Welsh Highland Railway |
| Saturday 30th May 2009 until further notice |
"Owing to large numbers of walkers" Padarn (KMP) are now running additional "S1" services
between Llanberis and PenyPass on Saturdays and School Holidays only on a local basis weather
permitting
| If you are going to Snowdon by car, it saves time and frustration to stop off at one of
the car parks en-route and catch the Sherpa bus - rather than driving to PenyPass, finding
the car park full and having to drive back to a car park you passed earlier! |
|
|
One of the Padarn mini-buses
still in the old KMP livery |
| Monday 18th May 2009 until further notice |
 |
|
The full summer service started and the additional Arriva spring period weekend "open-top"
services on Sherpa routes S1 and S2 operated daily
on the alternate hour to Silver Star from Betws-y-Coed
The first and last journey started from and returned to Llandudno |
| Monday 20th April 2009 until further notice |
| Most of the already "cut-back" weekday "S97" Snowdon Sherpa Bus services between
Pen-y-Pass and Porthmadog were diverted via the new
Porthmadog (Alltwen) Hospital on weekdays only resulting in a 25% increase in the Porthmadog to Beddgelert journey time |
|
|
| Good Friday 10th April 2009 until further notice |
|
|
The summer only Double Deck Open Top buses augmented the basic services
on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from Llandudno to Pen-y-Pass giving an hourly service between
Betws-y-Coed and Pen-y-Pass
and half hourly between Llanberis and
Pen-y-Pass |
| Tuesday 7th April 2009 until further notice |
Three additional round trips by an open-top double deck bus (weather permitting) were
introduced between Porthmadog and Beddgelert by EXPRESS MOTORS on a daily basis
These were timed to connect into/out of the extended Welsh Highland Railway
at Beddgelert station |
|
|
| Monday 6th April 2009 |
|
|
There were some minor late weekday changes to the S4 Sherpa from Caernarfon
to Beddgelert and return between 0800 and 1400
An additional late-afternoon "S4" Sherpa bus by KMP was introduced between Beddgelert and Pen-y-Pass along
the Nant Gwynant pass and v v serving the Watkin path
The "S1" between Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass was increased to basically hourly (but with a two-hour gap
mid-afternoon) also the Silver Star "S6" service between Betws-y-Coed and Pen-y-Pass was increased to approximately every
two hours, with some eastbound journeys being diverted via Bethesda |
| Sunday 5th April 2009 |
| The 'through' S97 SUNDAY Snowdon Sherpa Bus service between
Betws-y-Coed and Porthmadog was withdrawn from Sunday 5th April and replaced by a
limited service of just three round trips between Porthmadog and Pen-y-Pass only
- connecting at Pen-y-Pass into the S1 to Llanberis and the earlier journeys also connecting into the S6 to Betws-y-Coed |
|
 |
| Wednesday 1st April 2009 |
|
|
"KMP" services were taken over by "Padarn" but timings remain unaltered
Subsequenlty, so far as this website is concerned, any reference to Sherpa Services S1 and S4 also service 88 will
be operated by the new company
Initially the KMP light blue buses will continue to be used, but expect them to be gradually repainted
red or replaced by some of the existing red Padarn fleet over the coming weeks |
| Monday 19th January 2009 |
The former Express Motors commercial "S97" service
between Porthmadog and Betws-y-Coed was withdrawn and
replaced by a subsidised service of just three tound trips
between Porthmadog and Pen-y-Pass between the Beddgelert
to Porthmadog school journeys
For the remainder of the winter there were only a limited
number of poor onward "S6" connections to Betws-y-Coed
operated by Silver Star |
|
|
| Click here for all the news items |
This "unofficial" website
attempts to give full details of what services are available today
and for the next few months
It also includes some suggested "trips round Snowdonia - without your
car"
If you spot any error on this website (or have any additional information), please
e-mail the webmaster so the information can be corrected / updated for the benefit of other visitors
to this website |
on 4th November 2024
e-mail webmaster
(c)2009-2024
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