Welsh bus services to be reformed

Welsh transport secretary Ken Skates has announced a new public transport model for Wales, enabling public, private, or third sector operators to big for packages of local bus services. This will remove limitations on existing publicly owned bus companies, allowing them to be equal with other bus operators.

In turn, this will allow the government to deliver more customer-oriented, integrated bus networks where decisions on routes, timetables, and fares will be made collaboratively by the Welsh government, Transport for Wales, as well as local councils.

This gives Wales a chance to iron out pressing issues in their bus industry but, due to the extensive nature of the overhaul, roll out will take time across Wales. The Bill is set to the introduced to the Senedd early next year, with a regional deployment starting with south west Wales in 2027, north Wales in 2028, south in 2029, and the rest of central Wales in 2030.

In the meantime, the Senedd continues to help support local bus services through measures such as investing £64 million this financial year (driving the total amount invested up to £250 million since the pandemic), introducing greener vehicles, and collaborating with stakeholders to deliver demand-led services in rural areas to help keep communities connected, such as the Fflecsi and TrawsCymru services in west Wales. 

Cabinet secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “Delivering a bus bill, which fundamentally changes the way bus services are delivered in Wales, is one of my key priorities.

“We know that buses are a lifeline for many people to get people to work, visit friends and family, and gain access to services.

“The new franchising model will help us make better use of the significant funding the Welsh government provides to the bus industry and will allow us to design a network that works for people and communities, — alleviating transport poverty to create a fairer and more equal Wales.”