Transport User Voice June 2025 – Wales in the spotlight

17 June 2025

Shaping the future of reform

We’re making sure that passengers are being placed at the heart of the reform to Welsh transport. Proposed legislation is making its way through the Senedd and will provide the powers to create a bus network that is suited to meet the needs of passengers.  

If passed, the Bus Services (Wales) Bill would bring bus services into public control through franchising, and is being scrutinised by the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee. The committee are calling for evidence from expert organisations, including Transport Focus.  

Last month, Senior Engagement Manager David Beer presented evidence to the committee and highlighted key areas where we believe amendments would benefit passengers and improve journey experience, confidence and accountability.  

Transport for Wales Public Transport Summit 

After the Senedd session, David aimed to travel from Cardiff to Wrexham, for the two-day Transport for Wales Public Transport Summit. However, a train crash near Leominster earlier in the day meant disrupted services with trains going only as far as Hereford. Staff at Cardiff Central advised taking the replacement bus from there.  

Speaking on the experience, David said: “The conductor on the train was excellent, checking everyone’s travel arrangements and even sat down with an older couple going to North Wales and worked through their options. The bus co-ordinator at Hereford had a difficult task with a road accident delaying the bus by an hour or more, but also did his best to keep people informed. Waiting in the sun though, we could perhaps have done with some water.”  

The first of its kind, the summit at Wrexham University had an agenda across rail and bus topics with delegates and speakers from across Britain. On day one, Welsh Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates MS announced an integrated high-frequency network for North Wales. David presented on the passengers experience from the Your Bus Journey survey at a bus workshop. Our Director Louise Collins spoke on a bus reform panel focused on putting passengers at the heart of the future changes. 

Buses are a vital public service, with around 190,000 journeys made every day in Wales, and those passengers deserve a network that is reliable, affordable and easy to use. As part of our updated Business Plan, we remain committed to ensuring passenger priorities are placed firmly at the heart of this reform. 

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