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Question 1 –
how would you
describe the current condition of the bus and community transport
sectors in Wales?
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Appalling. Insufficient frequency to be useful.
For example in the village of Rowen, Conwy County. The
village used to have a near hourly service. The route has
been severely cut, such that the children can no longer catch
a service bus to or from secondary schools in either Llanrwst or
Conwy. At times it is a “taxi-bus” connection to
the B5106 to catch the service bus. This is impossible to
explain to tourists using the village youth hostel. The
infrequency of the service is having an adverse effect on people
being able to access the village without the need for their own
transport
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Question 2 –
why do you think
the number of bus services and the number of bus passengers is
declining in Wales?
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As above – a knock on consequence of infrequent services mean
people use cars so that they do not have to wait hours for a
return service from the local town.
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Question 3 –
what do you think is the social, economic and environmental impact
of recent changes in bus and community transport service
levels?
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People living in rural areas who are unable to drive/without their
own vehicle become “excluded” through their inability
to travel without the expense of hiring a taxi. This either
“excludes” non-drivers from living in rural areas, or
“excludes” them from accessing services in local
towns.
Tourists who are relying on public transport become restricted in
where they can visit.
Teenagers become reliant on parents to access activities after
school/at weekends - effectively “excluding” them
from events outside of their immediate locality. This may
impact on families moving into rural areas.
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Question 4 –
what do you think
the Welsh Government should do to support bus and community
transport in Wales?
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It needs joined up thinking – regular bus services,
reasonable fairs, and passes/regular user discounts to encourage
usage. Service buses should be used to allow easy travel to
school/colleges.
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Question 5
– what do you think Welsh local authorities should do to
support bus and community transport services?
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See Question 4
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Question 6
– what do you think about proposals to devolve bus
registration powers to Wales? How should these be used?
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I'm not clear how devolving will encourage joined up
thinking!
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Question 7
– please tell us whether you think further powers to regulate
the bus industry in Wales are required and why?
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Regulation needs to ensure regular and affordable transport is
available for rural areas.
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Question 8
– what other
action can be taken to ensure that bus and community transport
services meet the needs of people in Wales?
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Joined up thinking – with consultation to ensure the needs of
people who use the services are met, not just the views of
non-users followed.
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Please tell us anything
else you would like to mention this topic, thank you for
contributing to our inquiry.
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Smaller vehicles may help if numbers are falling, but if the
service is not regular and reliable, then people will opt for
private transport rather than using the bus.
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