Passengers across Wales will benefit from an additional £84.6m of
Welsh Government funding for the bus industry, which will help
companies meet the challenges of coronavirus and run more
services.
The funding takes total support for bus services this financial
year to £140m.
With a drop in the number of people travelling, and the
necessity of social distancing measures being in place, bus
companies have been short of revenues in recent months. To keep
the industry running the Welsh Government has stepped in to
provide funding. Initially this was to support essential
journeys, before supporting the ramp up of services as schools
and the wider economy began to reopen.
In August £10m was confirmed to help transport more people to
school, college and work. Today’s funding announcement is the
largest of its type and brings total support to £140m.
The funding is also another step from emergency funding and
towards longer-term planning and an integrated system. A new
agreement – the Bus Emergency Scheme – was recently created to
manage funding to the industry. The scheme brings together
Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, local authorities and
bus operators to reshape Wales’ bus network and ensure funding
puts the needs of passengers first.
, Deputy
Minister for Economy and Transport, said:
“We want bus services to be meeting the needs of passengers,
even in these challenging times. Our continued funding
demonstrates our commitment to getting as many services as
possible running in a safe way.
“The funding will provide some longer-term stability, and
given ongoing uncertainties we’ll continue to work closely
with local authorities and bus operators to deliver
services.”
“Buses play a vital role in connecting communities and
helping people access shops, education, work and leisure. We
remain committed to providing the necessary support to ensure
efficient services in the short, medium and long-term."
, Minister
for Finance and Trefnydd said:
“We understand the profound impact the pandemic has had on
bus services in Wales. The funding we are announcing today
will help to safeguard the future of bus services in Wales
and ensure that we continue to have a viable public transport
network when this crisis comes to an end.”
John Pockett, Director of CPT Cymru, the body
representing bus operators in Wales, said:
“This further government funding is very welcome to the bus
industry which has faced a catastrophic decline in passenger
numbers and revenues as a result of this awful pandemic.
Working with our partners in the Welsh Government and Local
Authorities, bus operators want to increase services for
passengers as activities and the economy start to resume, and
this financial support is a great boost in that aim for the
coming months. It shows the recognition by the Government of
the importance of bus services to local communities and to
the Welsh economy.”
