Newport Transport is a private limited company trading as Newport Transport Ltd controlled by a board of directors similar to any private business.

Previously the Borough of Newport Transport department was under the direct control of the borough council operating in the road passenger market providing bus services and related functions.

The 1985 Transport Act established Newport Transport as an "arms length" company with the council as the only shareholder.

Newport Transport in its present format came into existence in 1986 following the 1985 Transport Act and operates entirely commercially. Similarly to other commercial bus companies, it takes part in the All Wales Concessionary Fares Scheme and receives reimbursement for allowing concessionary pass holders to travel free on its services. It competes against other private bus and coach operators for local bus service and school contracts issued by the local authorities through competitive tendering processes for services that are considered socially necessary but that are not provided by any commercial operator. It receives no direct grants or subsidies from the local authorities nor Council Tax.

Newport Transport is located at a depot based on Corporation Road, Newport, and currently employs 230 staff. The company provides local bus services, private hire and contract operations, maintains under contract the council's fleet of vehicles, offers commercial driver training opportunities and operates a MOT and car repair centre.

The company's MOT and Car Repair Centre offers a wide range of classes tested with half price MOTs with full services. It also offers free bus travel while your vehicle is being MOT'd or repaired. Call 01633 220044 for more details.

The Commercial Driving School provides courses designed to meet the needs of the individual. It offers LGV, rigid bodied, LDV and PCV vehicle driver training along with theory tests. The Instructors are DSA approved and will give individuals a free assessment to identify their potential. For more details call Tom or Colin or 01633 670563.

Newport Transport operates the Newport City Open Top Bus Tour and this year will run it daily between April 4 - 18, May 30 - June 6, and July 24 - September 5. Departures leave the bus station at 10.30am, noon, 2pm and 3.30pm and visit such sites as Caerleon for the Roman Baths, Amphitheatre and Barracks, the Transporter Bridge and Tredegar House and Park. Coming soon is the introduction of a purpose-built Yellow School Coach with 70 individual seat belted seats, CCTV cameras, and meeting all the latest European, British and BUSK specifications. The vehicle is to be trialled on journeys to/from Duffryn and St Joseph Schools.

For more details on any Newport Transport matter check out the website at www.newporttransport.co.uk, or email newporttransport@btconnect .com or call 01633 670563 or write to Newport Transport, 160 Corporation Road, Newport, NP19 0WF.