- A joint statement from Welsh Government, TfW, WLGA,
Association of Transport Co- ordinating Officers (ATCO),
Confederation of Passenger Transport and Coach and Bus
Association Cymru.
The Bus Emergency Scheme (BES) kept vital bus services running
throughout the pandemic. The scheme had been due to end in
March 2023, but following extensive discussions, we announced in
February that it would be extended for an initial transitional
period of three months to the end of June 2023.
Following further conversations, we can confirm we will extend
BES for a further three-week period to the end of this academic
year. The scheme will now run to 24th July 2023. This will
mean that school transport will continue as normal. It will
also provide further stability for the industry while we work on
the transition away from emergency style funding to plan bus
networks which better suit the new travel patterns we have seen
since the end of the pandemic.
The Welsh Government will continue to work with Local Authorities
and bus operators to maximise the funding available for the
remainder of the financial year.
In addition, Regional Planning Teams supported by TfW, have been
agreed to be established to understand the impact of the
ending of BES and to resolve the network issues that are likely
to arise from the change in funding regime. This will help
optimise the network and maintain as much reach and access as
possible. TfW have already met with regional local
authority leads to agree terms of reference and we expect these
teams to begin meeting from next week.
We will continue to meet regularly and work closely together and
with other partners to build a strong and sustainable bus network
for Wales.
