The Welsh government has been warned that its plan to establish a London-style bus system will require substantial additional funding to succeed.
The proposed legislation, set to be published on Monday, aims to bring bus services under public control, allowing transport officials to dictate routes and schedules.
Under the new system, bus operators would bid for contracts rather than independently deciding on their routes, a shift Welsh Labour has been advocating for since the plan’s initial announcement six years ago. However, full implementation could take another five years.
A Major Shift for Public Transport
Since the mid-1980s, private companies have freely operated bus routes in Wales, provided they meet safety standards. However, critics argue that this model makes services vulnerable to cuts if they are not profitable.
By contrast, London’s Transport for London (TfL) model sets routes and contracts operators to run services—a system the Welsh government intends to replicate.
Under the proposed framework, Transport for Wales (TfW) would oversee bus routes, timetables, and fares in collaboration with local councils.
Operators would bid for contracts, and buses could be standardized under a single brand. Similar franchising systems have already been introduced in Manchester and other parts of the UK.
Transport Secretary Ken Skates emphasized the scale of the initiative, stating, “This has never been done on a national scale before, so it is hugely ambitious. But I think it’s going to prove to be one of the most important pieces of legislation that we have ever taken through—to give better options to the whole of our country.”
Concerns Over Costs and Viability
Despite the government’s ambitions, concerns remain about the financial feasibility of the plan. Passenger numbers have declined significantly, with only 61 million bus journeys recorded in Wales in 2022-23, compared to 91.7 million before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barclay Davies, of Bus Users UK, stressed that while franchising can improve services, it is costly. “It will require significant amounts of funding. That’s the issue at the moment—how much funding is available,” he said.
Aaron Hill, director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Cymru, echoed these concerns, stating that “passengers will only see better buses if commitments are backed by adequate funding and by steps to speed up buses by taking them out of traffic congestion.”
Political and Public Reactions
The Welsh Conservative Party has criticized the proposal, warning that it could stifle competition and become a “taxpayer-funded money pit” if not executed correctly.
Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru supports the initiative but has expressed frustration over the delays. “Bus franchising is integral to the future of sustainable, affordable, and reliable bus services,” said Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru’s transport spokesperson.
Franchising is set to begin in southwest Wales in 2027, with First Cymru, one of the region’s largest bus operators, expressing willingness to cooperate.
“We work really closely with all the authorities in Wales,” said Rob Pymm, the company’s commercial director. “Hopefully at the end of it, we will be running those services as well.”
For passengers like Rupika, a Swansea-based baker who relies on buses for work, affordability remains a key advantage over trains.
However, she expressed concerns about service frequency. “The last bus from Bridgend is at six, but it should be extended to eight,” she said.
While the government promises a “simpler, connected, and joined-up public transport network,” the success of the overhaul hinges on securing adequate funding to meet public expectations.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
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