Speaking in a cross-party debate on bus services today, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has called on the Welsh Government to engage meaningfully with the local community to develop their Llwybr Newydd strategy to meet rural transport needs.
As the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, she has also called on the Welsh Government to support “a green drive by helping operators invest in electric buses and upgrade their infrastructure.” Her intervention comes in a time when the use of such services is on a downward trajectory. Analysis in 2018 suggested that the distance travelled by local bus services had fallen by 20% in 10 years. In fact, Wales had seen the biggest percentage drop in bus miles between 2006-2007 and 2016-2017 compared to the other UK nations.
Speaking after her contribution, Janet said:
“Travel across the constituency of Aberconwy is a prime example of how services can and have been modernised to meet demand across rural communities. We have the Conwy Valley FFlecsi bus service. Likewise, Llew Jones International, based in Llanrwst, are taking steps to provide clean, sustainable and affordable travel.
“But whilst the £37.2 million bus service agreement was a step in the right direction, I am delighted that there is now cross-party consensus on the need to engage meaningfully with communities across Wales on the new strategy and in reshaping bus services to meet transport needs.
“As I made clear today, the Welsh Government’s Llwybr Newydd should now look to support a green drive by helping operators invest in electric buses and upgrade their infrastructure. It is time to get the wheels of the strategy rolling, so I am also calling for the establishment of timescales for the delivery of the commitments.
“The bus service agreement, with terms requiring operators to provide services that meet local needs, could be of benefit to the Conwy Valley and Snowdonia National Park which is witnessing an increase of visitors travelling in private vehicles. But the Welsh Government must engage meaningfully with our local community to ensure Llwybr Newydd meets their needs.”
ENDS
Photo: by Ant Rozetsky on Unsplash
