Written question WQ87889

The majority of local bus services in Brecon and Radnorshire are contracted by Powys County Council, and we are not aware of any significant planned reductions to local bus services in the area. We have provided considerable additional funding support to local authorities and operators since the start of the pandemic, which has helped to maintain key bus services across Wales. In addition, we continue to fund key TrawsCymru bus routes which provide essential strategic links across the area.

On 31 March 2023 I announced that we will extend the Bus Emergency Scheme (BES) for a further three week period to the end of this academic year. This provides further stability while we work on the transition away from emergency style funding to plan bus networks which better suit the new travel patterns we have seen since the end of the pandemic.

In addition, I have asked Transport for Wales, local authorities and the Community Transport Association to establish regional network planning teams to understand the impact of the ending of BES and to resolve the network issues that are likely to arise from the change in funding regime. This will help optimise the network and maintain as much reach and access as possible. We will continue to work closely together with partners to build a strong and sustainable bus network for Wales.