Wrexham’s MP Welcomes additional funding for bus operators across Wales

Wrexham’s MP has welcomed the news that funding has been announced to ramp up bus services across Wales.

Last week the Welsh Government announced a £10m boost to help the bus industry safely transport more passengers to school, college and work.

The additional funding is to help operators manage the increased pressure on scheduled bus services along with allowing operators to increase the number of buses available while also helping to cover costs associated with additional staffing, fuel and maintenance of the bus fleet.

The Welsh Government says it recognises that social distancing measures are resulting in reduced capacity and that this in turn is significantly affecting ticket revenue.

The new academic term will also see children and young people returning to full time school or college for the first time since March.

As a result there will be a significant increase in the number of children, young people and parents relying on bus services to safely transport them to their place of learning or work.

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters said: “Coronavirus and the introduction of necessary social distancing laws have placed significant pressure on our bus operators, affecting the ticket revenue on which they rely.

“As children and young people prepare to return to school and college from September and as a result, more parents also return to the workplace, we need to do all we can to ensure that people across Wales can safely access reliable bus services.

“This additional £10m will enable Local Authorities and operators to determine and deliver the additional services needed to support learners to safely return to school and college. It will also enable bus users who cannot work from home to return to the workplace in a safe manner.

“We recognise that this is a very challenging time for our bus operators and we will continue working closely with them and do all we can to support them at this difficult time.”

The announcement has been welcomed by Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton, who last month called on bus operators to increase the number of services.

In a letter to the Minister for Economy, Ken Skates MS, Ms Atherton said that more buses would be required while social distancing restrictions remain in place.

Commenting on the Welsh Government’s decision, Sarah said: “I am delighted that the Welsh Government have listened to calls to support pus operators in Wales and has earmarked an extra £10m to do this.”