Welsh Govt proposes one national bus network
FRANCHISE IDEA WOULD ALLOW SINGLE-TICKET TRAVEL NATIONWIDE
THE Welsh Government is planning a shakeup of the bus system in Wales, which could see one ticketing system and one operator nationwide.
The Bus White Paper was published yesterday, and under the proposals, it could see private firms bidding to run services, with Welsh Government ministers having a larger say in how the system works.
Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters said: “Our proposals have passengers as the focus.
“People need a well-planned, easy to understand network; buses that are timetabled to connect with each other and with trains; and a single, simple, easy to use ticketing system.
“The white paper proposes a franchising model to deliver this, and build a network of buses that can tie in with the wider transport system.”
A 12-week public consultation has been launched for people across Wales to have their say on how the new system is designed.
The Welsh Government says it will now work closely with local government, the bus industry and passengers on a proposed franchising model that aims to eventually deliver “one network, one timetable and one ticket”.
Mr Waters said: “For too many years we have created a culture of car dependency which has allowed individual freedoms and flexibilities that we all value, but it has also
locked in deep inequalities and environmental harms.
“As we look to recover from the pandemic and take action to tackle the climate emergency buses will play a critical role in keeping our communities connected and offering people a sustainable transport alternative to the private car.
“We’ve seen a gradual decline in the bus industry in Wales over the years and, as a result, we’ve been left with an industry that is broken and in need of much investment.
“But, I am confident that the plans we have announced today will help pave the way to a healthy recovery.
“We’re going to be putting people before profit and providing passengers with a wellplanned, easy to understand and connected bus network that makes the right thing to do the easy thing to do.
Welsh Government chiefs say ‘Bus Cymru’ has also set out a detailed route map for improving all aspects of bus service provision for passengers.
This includes infrastructure, road allocation, accessibility and integration with other public transport modes.
As part of an ongoing commitment to school transport, the Welsh Government has also published the findings of the Learner Travel Measure Review, which was carried out last year.
A number of areas that needed further consideration were identified and the next steps to be taken are outlined in the report with a consultation to follow later this year, the Welsh Government says.
Welsh Conservative and Shadow Minister for Transport Natasha Asghar MS said: “It is long past time that Labour ministers took the issue of buses seriously.
“With almost a quarter of people in Wales not having access to a car or van, it is vital that rural communities are able to use viable public transport.
“Welsh Conservatives are passionate about tackling climate change here in Wales, but we have been disappointed by Labour’s lacklustre approach.
“Any action taken by the Labour ministers needs to be cost-efficient and effective. So far, Labour’s strategy has been neither.
“I can only hope that Labour’s approach to handling buses is better than their handling of trains.”