On 31 March the Welsh Government published its white paper which outlines changes it is hoping to make to secure the future of public transport in the country, and to address the climate emergency issue. Under the new franchise proposals, bus operators would have to bid to run services and Welsh Government ministers would have a bigger say in how the system works.
Commenting on the document, called ‘One Network, One Timetable, One Ticket: Planning Buses as a Public Service for Wales,’ Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate said: “For too many years we have created a culture of car dependency which has allowed individual freedoms and flexibilities that we all value, but it has also locked in deep inequalities and environmental harms. As we look to recover from the pandemic and take action to tackle the climate emergency, buses will play a critical role in keeping our communities connected and offering people a sustainable transport alternative to the private car.
“We’ve seen a gradual decline in the bus industry in Wales over the years and, as a result, we’ve been left with an industry that is broken and in need of much investment. But, I am confident that the plans we have announced will help pave the way to a healthy recovery. We’re going to be putting people before profit and providing passengers with a well-planned, easy to understand and connected bus network that makes the right thing to do the easy thing to do.”
Revisions to school transport will also be considered under the proposals.
In response to the white paper, a spokesperson from CPT Cymru said: “Bus operators have worked closely with Welsh Government during the pandemic, and look forward to continuing this approach to deliver the shared ambition of more frequent and reliable bus services.
“Regardless of the regulatory model, close working between all partners is crucial to improving Wales’ bus services. Ensuring that operators expertise in running services, their strong track record for innovation and existing strong relationships with passengers are fully utilised will be vital.
“The additional costs of a franchise model would be around £61m per year with no guarantees that improvements in bus services will be delivered any more quickly than through local authorities and operators working in partnership to improve services. To avoid a period of uncertainty that delays investment in improvements in services for passengers we now need to see a clear timetable and a solid financial commitment to fund the changes Welsh Government propose.”
Comfort Delgro-owned Adventure Travel responded to the Welsh Government’s announcement with a warning that much more clarity and detail is needed before the plans can be understood, let alone considered, by the many groups of people who could be affected.
Managing Director Adam Keen thinks the proposals can work in principle, but questioned the significant funding stream required and the ability that bus operators will have to react to customer needs. He said: “Bus franchising has been on the cards for a number of years so the announcement is not unexpected. Franchising is being discussed in various regions across the UK and indeed, some cities in England such as Manchester and Liverpool, are already quite advanced in their plans. Whilst there are certainly mixed feelings among various operators, Adventure Travel is supportive of the plans and we consider our company to be in a very strong position to adapt as required and therefore also in a good position to comment on the plans.
“We worked extremely cohesively with local authorities during the pandemic and it will be a great shame to end these useful, productive partnerships. The initial franchising plans are obviously in the early stages of development, but there are ‘holes covered in twigs’ where funding and investment is concerned. Running a franchise model for an authority is an exceptionally expensive process; one only has to look at the TfL model and the recurring funding issues that they have experienced to get a feel for how precarious it is. It is also crucial that Welsh Government – whilst wanting to take the reins – should engage with bus operators as ultimately, we are the experts at what we do. The amount of consideration, time and data analysis that goes into something as simple as a fare change is not clearly understood by most people and thus, I urge decision-makers to involve operators in building a model for Wales which is affordable, sustainable and deliverable. If the Welsh Government gets this right, this can ultimately be a good news story, not just for existing bus customers but for potential new customers too.
“I can’t imagine that any franchising system would be implemented until at least 2026 given the enormity and complexity of the task ahead, which gives rise to concerns over what happens between now and then, as well as how the model works from that point on. Investment is also a significant concern, with new zero-emission buses each costing upwards of £100k more than a diesel variant and no firm funding or subsidy plans in place for those vehicles yet, unlike England and Scotland which have ‘Green Bus Funds’ and similar. Operators have collectively invested millions of pounds in fleets over the years in Wales and that level of investment will need to be increased further for zero-emission buses, and then added to the costs of the franchise model.”
The white paper also notes that restriction on the formation of new municipal bus companies, like existing municipal operators Cardiff Bus and Newport Transport, would be lifted, giving Local Authorities the opportunity to operate the services themselves either directly or as an arm’s length subsidiary. The consultation period runs until 24 June.
gov.wales/one-network-one-timetable-one-ticket-planning-buses-public-service-wales-html
