Wales issues road map to franchising

Welsh government is making a further move towards bus franchising. The country’s government has issued a report outlining how it aims to replace privatised bus services with a franchised system.

The government’s ‘Roadmap to Bus Reform’ sets out year by year targets of how the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales plan to approach the delivery of franchising bus services in Wales. This includes how it intends to work closely with partners and stakeholders, such as local authorities and bus operators to design and deliver services that are ‘easy to use, easy to access and well connected’ for communities across Wales. This new approach is proposed to be rolled out on a geographical basis and will take several years to achieve.

Transport for Wales, local Councils and the Welsh Government will work together to design bus networks that link key services and tie up with other buses and with train timetables all using one ticket. It will be based on a system of franchised contracts, where companies will then be able to bid to run the whole package of routes for an area, not just the ones that are most profitable.

Lee Waters, the Minister with responsibility for transport, said: “This is the most far-reaching set of reforms taking place anywhere in the UK” the Deputy Minister added.

“At the moment using your car is easy but using public transport can feel like a hassle.

“Our aim is to create one joined up network, one integrated timetable which you can access using one ticket. That way we will make it easier to understand how to use public transport, and it will make journeys seamless.

“Whoever controls bus services in Wales, we need carefully managed long-term investment and policies which encourage people to choose the bus over a car” – Aaron Hill, Director of CPT Cymru

Responding to the news, Aaron Hill, Director of CPT Cymru, said: “This roadmap is a welcome signal of intent from Transport for Wales and Welsh Government, recognising the importance of a strong bus network to the wellbeing of Wales.

“However, bus operators across the country have faced huge challenges in recent years, and regulatory change alone will not change the economic reality of this.

“Our own research published last year shows that a minimum subsidy franchise – as used in Jersey – could strike the right balance between government control and using the skills and expertise of commercial operators to deliver maximum benefit for the public.

“Whoever controls bus services in Wales, we need carefully managed long-term investment and policies which encourage people to choose the bus over a car.”

Bus passenger champion group, Bus Users UK, describes the ‘Roadmap to Bus Reform’ as ‘realistic’ given the current funding environment.

“We look forward to starting this journey to improved services and ensuring that the voices of passengers are heard at every stage” – Barclay Davies, Bus Users UK Director for Wales

Barclay Davies, Bus Users UK Director for Wales, said: “Bus services will not change overnight so it is helpful to manage expectations and outline the key milestones that will be delivered between now and 2035. We are pleased to see recognition of the barriers faced by many people when it comes to accessing services and the promise to engage with, and listen to passengers to build the best possible network.

“There is a realistic recognition that funding is an ongoing challenge meaning that changes can only be made incrementally when funding is available. We look forward to starting this journey to improved services and ensuring that the voices of passengers are heard at every stage.”