Communities across mid-Wales are set to experience early benefits
that groundbreaking bus reform will bring.
Led by Transport for Wales and mid-Wales councils' a trial of the
criteria designed for bus reform will take place and identify
what a good bus network will look like. The trial will also bring
opportunities for early improvements to services in rural
communities in Ceredigion and Powys, through better reliability
of buses. This will help inform further improvements as part of
plans for full franchising in the longer term. Contracts for this
work are expected to be awarded later this year.
This trial provides an opportunity to help the bus industry
prepare for the changes that bus reform will bring as work
continues to progress well in this area.
The new franchising model will replace the current de-regulated
system by enabling public, private or third sector operators to
bid for packages of local bus services. It will also lift the
restrictions on existing publicly owned bus companies, putting
them on an equal footing with other bus operators.
This will deliver a more customer-focused, integrated network of
services where decisions on routes, timetables, and fares, will
be made collaboratively by the Welsh Government, Transport for
Wales and local councils.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said:
“Delivering a bus bill, which fundamentally changes the way bus
services are delivered in Wales, is a huge change for the bus
industry.
“Local knowledge and expertise are key to producing a bus network
that works for communities. So, to help us get it right and
prepare the industry for the changes bus reform is going to bring
I am pleased to be working with the local authorities in
mid-Wales to test our plans.
“As well as helping to shape what the future of the bus industry
in Wales will look like, communities across mid-Wales will also
get an opportunity to benefit from some of the service
improvements they can expect in the future.
“We are on the cusp of something very exciting and I look forward
to hearing what passengers think of the improved services.”
Notes to editors
The Welsh Government intends to implement reform in South West
Wales in 2027, North Wales in 2028, South East Wales in 2029 and
mid-Wales in 2030, as detailed in the Roadmap to bus reform:
Update to franchise areas, published November 2024.
