YorkRailFan
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Bus reform for Wales: our roadmap to franchising | GOV.WALES
Why we want to change the law around bus franchising.
www.gov.wales
This document has been produced by the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales (TfW) to outline our proposed approach to bus franchising.
It explains why we are introducing change, what our vision is for bus services in Wales, and how we are going to turn this vision into reality.
The bill is set to be introduced to the Senedd this year and TFW will work with operators in North Wales on a bridge to franchising.
In 2025, should the bill receive Senedd approval, Regional Transport Plans and Regional Transport Delivery Plans will be delivered. The bill should also become law if passed by the Senedd.
Between 2026 and 2028, hydrogen buses are set to be trialed in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot. I'm not too confident about the hydrogen trial, I think EVs would be a better alternative if the journeys don't involve long journeys without charging. Franchising is also set to roll out between 2026 and 2028 with the first franchise zones up and running under management of TFW.
Between 2028 and 2035, franchise packages will be reviewed, improved and refreshed.
Overall, it sounds like a great plan and sounds like it will be integrated with TFW Rail which makes traveling across Wales with public transport just that bit easier. There are also plans to work closely with Unions on Industrial Relations.
Unite welcomes the end of deregulation of the bus industry in Wales
Unite, the UK’s leading union, has welcomed the Welsh government’s ‘Our Road to Bus Reform’ plans, which will bring an end to the deregulation of the bus sector in Wales. Unite, which represents hundreds of bus workers in the country, has been one of the key stakeholders in finalising these reforms.
www.unitetheunion.org
Unite, the UK’s leading union, has welcomed the Welsh government’s ‘Our Road to Bus Reform’ plans, which will bring an end to the deregulation of the bus sector in Wales. Unite, which represents hundreds of bus workers in the country, has been one of the key stakeholders in finalising these reforms.
The plans echo the commitment given in the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 promoting fair work and a duty for socially responsible public procurement. It will overhaul the current system which sees bus operators deciding where to run services based on maximising profits.
Jo Goodchild, regional officer for Unite, said: “This will shake-up the way the public transport system works in Wales. We know the current system is all about returns rather than benefiting local communities. “It’s high time operators put the public before profit and they will no longer be able to get away with sacrificing decent terms and conditions for their workers as a means to win contracts."
Not surprised Unite is happy with this as the plan does, as mentioned above, involve working closer with Unions.
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