Major reductions in Welsh public transport will begin on Monday, including Sunday train frequencies throughout the week.
Welsh transport minister Ken Skates said that thousands of people worked for Transport for Wales Rail Services, and reduced availability of staff in critical roles would impact on rail services.
TfWRS will operate Sunday timetables seven days per week from Monday until further notice.
Chief executive Kevin Thomas told customers: ‘We have a responsibility to our people and to you, to ensure all activities needed to support our services are delivered safely, protecting people and minimising risks involved.’
Bus managers met Mr Skates earlier this week to explain the challenges operators now face. The high average age of bus drivers was raised as an issue.
Skates later told AMs: ‘The age profile of the workforce is something that is causing us concern.
‘We are working with the sector to identify the possibility of cover being supported in the event of many drivers becoming ill or self-isolating, and that is particularly the case … in rural Wales, where we have a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises operating.
‘Our attention is being focused specifically on those rural areas right now that are already facing other forms of isolation.’
At one independent Welsh company, about 15% of the bus drivers are aged 70 or over. This places them in the category that most needs protecting from contact with the public and the risk of Covid-19 infection.
The managing director commented: ‘There are more people over 65 working now because of measures by successive governments which are increasing the pension age.’
Most services operated by Cardiff Bus and Newport Transport will run to Saturday timetables on weekdays from Monday. Arriva Buses Wales, covering most of North Wales, will introduce ‘emergency timetables’ on many routes on Monday.
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