Pro-public transport message urged in Wales

Transform Cymru is urging the Welsh Government to restore confidence in public transport to avoid a car-based recovery from the pandemic.

The organisation is dedicated to ensuring communities are connected sustainably in Wales. It has written a letter encouraging the Government to issue pro-public transport messages. The missive highlights the benefits of travelling by public transport and the risks associated with more people choosing to travel in private vehicles.

CPT Cymru has backed Transform Cymru’s calls.

Measures that the letter calls on Welsh Government to use to restore confidence in public transport include a pro-public transport message highlighting the safety of bus travel, ensuring Covid-19 risk assessments do not single out bus, making the National Transport Plan for Wales an early priority for the new administration, and a proactive marketing plan for the industry.

Transform Cymru calls on the Government to:

  • Ensure continuing Covid-19 guidance around risk-assessments does not single out public transport as a greater risk than other areas of society.
  • Consideration should also be given to the health and economic risks of a failure to get people back on-board buses and trains.
  • Implementing the next stages of Llwybr Newydd, the National Transport Plan for Wales, should be an early priority for the new administration.
  • Encourage the proactive marketing of public transport services and help with measures such as special promotions.

“Bus, which shares many of the same characteristics as other areas of society, must not be singled out in Covid-19 risk assessments, which would undermine the work operators have done to give people the confidence to travel” – CPT Cymru Director, Joshua Miles

Responding to the letter, CPT Cymru Director, Joshua Miles, said: “Bus is a sustainable and inclusive travel option that many people rely on to make essential journeys, and we must reassure people that it is safe to get back on board.

“The bus industry stands ready to play its part in the recovery from Covid-19 but we must have measures in place to avoid a car based recovery. Bus, which shares many of the same characteristics as other areas of society, must not be singled out in Covid-19 risk assessments, which would undermine the work operators have done to give people the confidence to travel.

“Now is the time to look to the future and work with Welsh Government on a proactive marketing campaign that will help to rebuild passenger confidence, to prevent our roads being dominated by cars and ensure that everyone has access to a reliable transport network.”

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