|
Question 1 –
how would you
describe the current condition of the bus and community transport
sectors in Wales?
|
|
We are from the rural county of Powys. We have been in many
discussions about public transport with the Transport Manager
for Powys County. We have lobbied Powys County Council about cuts
to bus services being made to save money. The result has still been
cuts to the transport budget and some bus routes being axed. We are
also talking to Powys County Council about Community Transport in
Powys as it varies from each town and some areas have none. We have
pointed out the lack of a consistent community transport provision
and the fact where it exists it costs disabled people money. They
would normally being able to use a bus pass to travel. Our
members rely on public transport to go to meetings and to
socialise.
|
|
Question 2 –
why do you think the number of bus services and the number of bus
passengers is declining in Wales?
|
|
We believe this is because of cuts to bus services and fare
increases. The frequency of bus services is also an issue. There is
also a lack of buses to get people to places in rural
areas.
|
|
Question 3 – what do you think is the social, economic and
environmental impact of recent changes in bus and community
transport service levels?
|
|
The social impact can mean our members cannot access disability
organisations or health care. They can become isolated and
depressed. It limits their ability to develop friendships, with
socialising limited to within their own
community.
The economic impact means people who can work find it difficult in
some areas to get work in their locality. They therefore rely on
public transport to enable them to look for work further from
home.
The environmental impact can means fewer buses resulting in more
people using cars. This can mean an increase in CO2
emissions.
|
|
Question 4 –
what do you think the Welsh Government should do to support bus and
community transport in Wales?
|
|
We think the Welsh Government should have control over buses in a
similar way to their control over trains in Wales. This would mean
they can make sure all areas have a suitable provision of bus
services within rural areas of Wales.
|
|
Question 5 –
what do you think Welsh local authorities should do to support bus
and community transport services?
|
|
Cuts to budgets to local authorities will inevitably result
in cuts to bus services particularly in rural areas. This will
result in a spiral of decline of bus provision and usage. They are
limited in what they can offer within the present
climate.
|
|
Question 6 –
what do you think about proposals to devolve bus registration
powers to Wales? How should these be used?
|
|
|
|
Question 7
– please tell us whether you think further powers to regulate
the bus industry in Wales are required and why?
|
|
|
|
Question 8
– what other action can be taken to ensure that bus and
community transport services meet the needs of people in
Wales?
|
|
We support the introduction of an All Wales standard ‘orange
wallet’-type scheme as soon as practicable.
We support further work to introduce a Welsh DCPC module on
disability awareness training for bus drivers. This could be
undertaken and delivered by People First Groups where appropriate.
We support the use of low cost digital technology to assist
disabled people’s use of public transport. We support
Operators and user groups representing disabled passengers having a
regular dialogue.
We support the setting up of an information task group comprising
Traveline Cymru, bus operators, local authorities and
passenger representatives. They could undertake further work to
improve the availability of information. This would involve
establishing the feasibility and cost of equipping all buses in
Wales with wi-fi. Exploring the feasibility of establishing a
hierarchy of bus stops and interchanges with different levels of
information provision.
|
|
Please tell us anything
else you would like to mention this topic, thank you for
contributing to our inquiry.
|
|
|
