Issue - meetings

To include an update on Bus Reform, Development of National Strategic Bus Network and Bus Emergency Scheme.

Including an update presentation from Lee Robinson, TfW.

RESOLVED to accept the report

RESOLVED to accept the report

It was confirmed that due to COVID, Transport for Wales was working with bus providers to look at new ways of funding and considering which routed they ran.  He also referred to the Emergency Scheme for the Bus Sector, confirming that a discussion with providers had been arranged for 8/12/20, but that there were time restrictions due to COVID.

Reference was made to the Partnership Agreement to discuss routes and the carbon agenda, but he confirmed that the providers saw the discussion as being one sided.

The Officer gave a presentation on the Amendment and Design of the Bus Network, confirming that they would be working across four regions; North Wales, Mid Wales, South-East Wales and South-West Wales.

He reminded the Sub-Board that it had commissioned a piece of work to look at eight specific matters for the region, and agreed to share the presentation.

Cabinet Members were asked for any further observations before moving on:

There was a difference between rural and urban, but each County present here was different.  Tourism was very important, and there was a need to convey that message.  It had been noticed that work was focussed around urban metro hubs - it was possible for some core routes to be urban to urban, and an enquiry was made as to where this worked, and how it was possible to measure social value and economic value.  Transport for Wales was requested not to forget the older population when undertaking any consultation work, bearing in mind that we were not living through a normal, representative time.

It was also requested that there should be consideration given to how this connected to the financing of education, as well as the financing of social health care.

A Welsh Government Officer noted that he encouraged rural matters in the community, as well as the importance of considering people within communities when planning the network.

It was agreed that Iwan P Jones, in preparation for the meeting arranged for 18/1/21, would get in touch to gather views on matters regarding buses.