Free travel scheme ends after ‘disappointing and distressing incidents’
Wales’ Welcome Ticket free public transport scheme has come to an end.
The programme was launched in March 2022 as part of a package of support measures to help Ukrainians, Afghans and other refugees to integrate more effectively in Welsh life. Over the last two years, the Welsh government estimates that around one million journeys have been undertaken through the scheme.
The Welcome Ticket was a condition of the £200m Bus Emergency Scheme and then the Bus Transition Fund. This fund ended on 31 March and, with it, the current Welcome Ticket scheme.
Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip, described it as ‘hugely welcomed and beneficial’, but also acknowledged there had been some delivery challenges which have led to some ‘disappointing and distressing incidents’.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We acknowledge there have been issues administering the scheme including when people have tried to use their ticket.”
Due to this, the Welsh government says it is reviewing the learning obtained from the scheme as it considers how an improved version of it could be launched in future.
“The new scheme would be designed to prevent discrimination and the other unintended situations we have encountered with the current phase of the scheme” – Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
In a written statement, Jane Hutt MS, said: “Our intention is to establish a new phase of the Welcome Ticket scheme in 2024 which is sustainable and fit-for-purpose, ensuring our resources can be focused on those most in need. The new scheme would be designed to prevent discrimination and the other unintended situations we have encountered with the current phase of the scheme.
“I would like to thank our transport operators and staff across Wales who have worked in partnership with the Welsh government over the last two years to provide a warm welcome to families and individuals during challenging times.
“We will work closely with travel operators, local authorities, the third sector and sanctuary seekers, during the development of this new phase of the scheme. I expect to be able to provide a further update during the summer.”
I wouldn’t want to accuse this publication of click-baiting, but I do think that, with such a headline, we should have been advised what the ‘disappointing and distressing incidents’ were.
Thanks for your comment, Michael. We have put in an enquiry with the Welsh Government asking them what the ‘disappointing and distressing incidents’ were. We will update the story if and when they get back to us. However, as can often be the case in these situations, it might be something they may not want to expand on to avoid raking over the coals of those who were involved.
Thanks for the reply and for making the efforts. I also have doubts that any detail will be supplied, unless it’s already in the public domain. A combination of risk aversity by the Government and lack of any PR credit coming from sharing, in combination, being the reason.