ALL BUSES TO BE PUBLICLY OWNED
As Wales sets out a roadmap putting forward franchising as the only option, RHODRI CLARK assesses the document, and the deliverability of the plans
The Welsh Government expects that all buses in Wales will eventually be publicly owned and used by franchised operators, but acknowledges that transitioning to zero emissions vehicles will be constrained by funding and supply.
Since 2017, the Labour administration in Cardiff Bay has said it would replace bus deregulation. Its initial bus reform bill was scuppered by the advent of Covid-19.
A new bill is due to be introduced in September with one major difference: franchising will be the only option for all areas.
England and Scotland have legislated for franchising alongside partnership alternatives, but Welsh ministers have taken the view that anything other than universal franchising would not deliver change on the scale and at the speed required if Wales is to meet its commitments on greenhouse gas emissions. Buses are seen as central to meeting the target of 39% of journeys in Wales to be by “sustainable” modes by 2030, corresponding with a 10% decrease in car miles per person compared with 2019.
The government expects…
