Loss of bus routes due to funding cuts “would be a hammer blow”

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Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents Plaid Cymru, is one of four regional Senedd Members serving the South Wales East region.

The issue of bus cuts has been in the headlines once again. In my Caerphilly Observer column from March of this year I warned about the implications of the Labour Government in Wales reducing the funding to bus companies. This funding was originally increased during the pandemic to prevent the collapse of bus routes across Wales following a dramatic fall in passenger numbers.

Given that passenger numbers have not recovered to pre-Covid levels, it was safe to predict that the removal of the additional funding would have a detrimental impact on bus connectivity. The bus companies and passengers alike warned what would happen, as did Plaid Cymru during numerous scrutiny sessions of the government in the Senedd.

Unfortunately, those dire predictions have come to pass with an estimated 10% of bus routes being axed this summer. Things could get much worse with up to 25% of bus services in Wales predicted to disappear without further long-term government funding. That would be a hammer blow to those communities affected by the cuts as buses are often the only option for those without a car. For many people, buses represent a means to work, a means to shop and a means to enjoy the company of loved ones. As usual, it is the people who are the most vulnerable who will bear the brunt of this decision by the Labour Government.

I was reminded of this on a street surgery back last year when an elderly woman spoke about how the local bus service was a lifeline for her and friends as it allowed them to get out of the house and meet up with each other. Taking the local bus service away would have a dramatic impact on the social lives of so many, leading to increased loneliness and mental health problems.

Plaid Cymru is now calling on the Labour government to act decisively and explore ways to find the necessary funding to preserve the bus network. As a bare minimum, they should be urgently meeting with bus companies to discuss a way forward for the industry.

Now I am not one to hold back when it comes to justified criticism of the Labour Government in Wales but I must acknowledge that this problem is not entirely of their own making. An historic lack of funding from various Westminster Governments has left the public transport network in Wales in a poor state when you compare it to what is on offer elsewhere. Plaid Cymru was the first political party to demand our fair share of money from the England-only HS2 project that has bizarrely and cruelly been deemed to be beneficial to Wales by the Tories.

This decision alone has deprived Wales of £5billion of funding that could have been transformational for transport. It could have kickstarted the beginning of a truly integrated, accessible and affordable public transport network that serves the whole of Wales. Unfortunately, Starmer has refused to promise the funding to Wales – which Scotland already gets – in the event of Labour winning the next General Election.

Rest assured, Plaid Cymru will be continuing to put pressure on the London parties to ensure they deliver for communities in Wales and deliver for public transport.