Passengers in Wales have been cautioned that up to 25% of bus services may face reductions if operators do not secure additional long-term government funding. This warning follows the termination of the Welsh government’s £150 million emergency pandemic-era funding, leading to the elimination of nearly 10% of bus routes over the summer.
Although ministers have been working on securing funding to commence after April, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), representing bus companies, has indicated that further cuts could be anticipated in the upcoming fiscal year, which could exacerbate challenges for bus users.
Several routes, including those in Cardiff and Newport, have been affected by cuts this summer, with bus companies attributing the reductions to diminished funding, reduced passenger numbers post-Covid, and the introduction of a new 20mph speed limit.
Chelsea Hamlyn, a 29-year-old mother of two, emphasized the significance of buses in her daily routine, as she relies on them to transport her daughter to nursery and then commute to work. As a hairstylist, Chelsea faces a 40-mile round trip from her home in Llangynwyd, Bridgend county, to her workplace in Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan. She shared her challenges, stating that the 7:30 am bus that facilitated her childcare arrangements was crucial. Chelsea, who currently cannot afford to learn to drive, indicated the essential role of buses for many individuals, including hospital staff who have also depended on them for transportation.
While ministers have indicated that this year’s grant could safeguard the “majority” of routes, the uncertainty surrounding long-term funding raises concerns about the future of bus services in Wales.
