A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has said new public transport legislation could be transformational for Wales but “the devil is in the detail.”

Peredur Owen Griffiths was speaking as the Welsh Government delivered a statement on their long-awaited Bus Bill. The proposed legislation – once approved - will begin putting buses under public control. It will also allow officials to decide what services are provided to communities throughout Wales.

Speaking in the Senedd, Peredur said: “A bit like waiting for a bus in Wales, after a long wait and, at times, wondering whether it would ever arrive, I’m very glad to finally see the statement today on the bus services Bill. This is a historic moment.

“If we take a moment to look at Manchester, we can see how franchising has transformed public transport, improving connectivity and service reliability, introducing a more eco-friendly fleet, lowering fares and creating more jobs. These are the kinds of benefits we should be striving for in Wales.

“However, my concern lies in the Government’s delivery. I regularly hear all the right words from the Cabinet Secretary in this Siambr during questions and debates, but then I am disappointed when the delivery doesn’t always match up in reality. If you speak to people across Wales, they’ll tell you time and again just how poor our transport system is.”

He added: “Under franchising, we want to see more routes restored and the damage from years of service cuts reversed. Deregulation definitely has not worked.

“We need clarity on how route planning will be carried out, how local voices, businesses and communities will be engaged in the process, and how this will contribute to economic development and prosperity.

“Maybe the Cabinet Secretary can explain how this will work in practice in our local communities in his response. Mapping commuter patterns, as well as housing density around bus stops, should play a key part in this strategy, and I welcome the news about the collection of data. This data should drive some of those decisions.”

Peredur concluded his contribution by saying: “I want to see a reserved number of contracts for the SMEs and local bus providers. I heard what you said about the instruction to Transport for Wales to develop an approach that attracts a range of operators.

“This is an area where Manchester has not done as well as it could, and I urge the Cabinet Secretary to support procurement policies that use franchising as a tool for local development and Welsh business growth. Can you say a little bit more about this in your response?

“In summary, my colleagues and I in Plaid Cymru are broadly supportive of the Bill. We are committed to securing the best possible version of it through this Senedd, but ultimately the devil is in the detail and the Government must ensure that the legislation delivers real, lasting improvements for the people of Wales.”

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