Relations between the last surviving municipal bus companies in Wales have apparently soured, after one refused to accept the other’s new smartcard.

Newport Bus and Cardiff Bus, owned by the respective city councils, have jointly operated the route between Newport and Cardiff for many years, with inter-available tickets. However, passengers cannot use Newport Bus’ smartcard, launched in May, on Cardiff Bus services.

Newport Bus responded by registering additional services, some of which depart at the same or similar times to Cardiff Bus services on the same route.

Delme Bowen, Cardiff CC’s executive member for transport, said he regretted the companies’ ‘childish’ behaviour when the priority was to create an integrated travel system where one pass was valid on buses and trains.

Cardiff Bus said it was unable to accept Newport’s smartcard for technical and operational reasons. It had not altered its timetables but was aware that Newport Bus had introduced additional services coinciding with its own journeys.

Last week Newport Bus described Cardiff Bus’ stance as regrettable, but this week a spokesman said: ‘The company is proactively working with Cardiff Bus to ensure that both bus operators are able to accept each other’s smartcards at the earliest opportunity.’