SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has warned changes to bus services in his region could seriously affect the future of small local operators.
Mr Rowlands Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Transport and Infrastructure said he is extremely concerned over plans by Welsh Government for buses in Wales to be brought under public control.
Welsh Government is currently consulting on the Bus Services (Wales) Bill which if passed will mean companies bidding for contracts instead of operating their own routes.
The new system would see decisions about bus services in Wales, including routes, timetables, fares, hours of operation and service quality standard, being made by Welsh Government and Transport for Wales in partnership with Local Authorities.
Mr Rowlands said: “It is extremely worrying to think that our bus services will be put into the hands of the Welsh Labour Government and Transport for Wales as we have seen what a mess they have made of running our railways.
“I fear it could end up being another money pit for the Welsh taxpayer.
“I really don’t like the way the new system would work at all with TfW agreeing timetables and fares etc with Welsh councils and then operators bidding to provide the service.
“I do fear that this could have a serious effect on our small independent local operators.
“I recently met with a P&O Lloyd Coaches in Bagillt and Voel Coaches in Dyserth who both provide a valuable and reliable service to local authorities and there is grave concern over these new proposals.
“This Bill is city-focused, it neglects rural communities and it ignores the biggest issue holding back our bus network, congestion. Instead of supporting small, local operators, Labour is unfairly stacking the deck in favour of big national companies.
“Small and medium sized bus operators across Wales are really worried about the impact of this Bill. Once again, Labour is punishing small businesses, rural communities and passengers who simply want a reliable and affordable service.
“The Welsh Conservatives are voting against the Bill and are calling on the Labour Welsh Government to ensure the protection of small and medium businesses, address congestion and put passenger voices at the heart of this legislation.”
