Action plan call to boost bus services

A “STRONGER political will” is needed to solve the problems facing bus services in Wales and encourage more people to leave their cars at home, according to a new report from an Assembly committee.

The Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee was told that buses are the “Cinderella service” caught in a cycle which sees more cars creating more congestion, impacting timetables, raising costs and making people less likely to use them.

The chairman of the committee, Conservative AM Russell George, said: “At its heart, this is an issue that requires stronger political will.

“Broadly speaking, the powers, levers and legislation are in place.

“What we need now is a Welsh Government action plan which pulls together what works, and encourages local authorities to adopt and adapt good practice.”

The report states that registered bus services in Wales declined by nearly half within a decade, from 1,943 services in March 2005 to 1,058 in March 2015.

The number of bus passenger journeys also declined by about 19% between 2008 and 2015.

It adds that bus travel accounts for more than 80% of public transport in Wales, and Bus Users Cymru describe bus services as a “vital lifeline” for those without a car and those living in rural areas.

The committee recommends that as a matter of urgency the Welsh Government should produce an action plan to tackle the effect of traffic congestion on the bus industry.

It includes how the Welsh Government will support local authorities on the matter, plans for a national awareness campaign to encourage bus use and a recognition of the scale, and extent the impact of congestion has on buses with a “firm commitment” to tackling the issue.

The committee heard from Cardiff Bus that its two biggest costs are fuel and labour, and that when traffic speeds reduce they need more paid hours and fuel to deliver the same service.

The Welsh Government welcomed the report and will consider the recommendations in detail before responding.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The Economy and Infrastructure Secretary recognised in committee that congestion is a significant challenge and if left unchecked will impact both the bus industry itself and our ambition of making bus travel more attractive to passengers.

“Congestion will be specifically discussed during workshops with our partners later this year following on from the very successful Bus Summit.

“In addition, the cabinet secretary announced a series of pinch-point programmes including one for the motorway and trunk road network and one for the local road network.

“The cabinet secretary has been clear that our transport network needs to be sustainable and that is why the pinchpoint studies are designed to look at a range of solutions to congestion problems from public transport to active travel.”

The spokesman added that a number of measures have already been put in place to tackle congestion, including allowing local authorities to adopt powers to tackle parking.