£39m boost for Welsh buses contingent on better integration with rail

Wales’ Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters has confirmed £39m support for the bus industry in Wales for the year ahead.

The Deputy Minister with responsibility for transport said the funding would be provided through the new Bus Network Grant which will be made available to local authorities to secure services once the Welsh Government’s Bus Transition Fund comes to an end at the end of March.

Local authorities will be required to meet specific conditions to receive funding which includes ensuring routes and timetables support improved journey times, deliver opportunities for greater connectivity where possible, and provide improved information about the times of bus services.

Lee Robinson, Transport for Wales’ Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration said, “Bus franchising will bring an end to a disjointed system, where it's up to private companies to decide which routes to run, and instead, councils and the Welsh Government work in partnership to agree local and regional bus networks that serve the needs of communities.

“It will also enable Transport for Wales to tie in bus routes with train timetables, to create an integrated public transport system and a single ticket which can be used for both.”

Deputy Minister Lee Waters added, “The Bus Network Grant will bring stability to the industry as well as increased public control of bus services. It will also act as a bridge from the emergency funding that has been provided towards bus franchising.

“It will include specific conditions that will encourage improved regional co-ordination of bus services; network ticketing and the need to ensure accurate and up to date information about the bus services provided.”

The Welsh Government has been working on plans to reform the way buses in Wales are run for the last three years. It published its roadmap of bus reform earlier this month and, later this year, a Bus Bill will be introduced in the Senedd.