The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

AGM

Carolyn Thomas MS was nominated as Chair by Mike Hedges and Buffy Williams

Aaron Hill from CPT Cymru nominated by Carolyn Thomas MS and Mike Hedges MS

Aaron Hill – provided a presentation of recent research, published by CPT and KPMG, and look at what it means for the economy, environment and wellbeing of Wales, and why further investment in buses is needed. The research recognises the role of operators as employers, buyers and economic and social enablers.

Key headlines from the research include:

·         The direct economic impact of buses in Wales is estimated at £305m/year

·         The economic benefit to bus users and other road uses in Wales from buses is estimated at £405m/year

·         The economic impact of bus users interacting with local economies is estimated at £705m/year

In addition to this, it is estimated that every additional £1 of investment in buses generates a further £4.50 across the economy, and every £1 invested in bus priority measures generates £5.

Aaron also set out the need for further investment in buses ahead of the Welsh Government Draft Budget, and the industry’s ask of an additional £18m in revenue funding for 2025/26.

Carolyn Thomas MS– Have Welsh Government provided an indication of an increase to the Bus support grant?

Aaron Hill - CPT constructive ongoing dialogue with Welsh Gov. Looking to manifesto pledges to improve other issues facing buses – pavement parking, congestion. Regional transport plans being developed, opportunity for positive conversations. Need greater join up in active travel schemes – need joined up strategic conversations.

Bob Saxby = traffic survey in Bangor – 50% arrived by bus. But business people think all arrive by bus. Since then out of town development means half of town shops boarded up. 

David Beer – welcomed the report. Transport focus research show two key barriers are cost and convenience, so investment needed on two sides. Need ticketing structure to encourage people on the bus. Reach of network is paramount.

William Denston – Travelled from Abergavenny to Reading on the train. Hereford to Abergavenny bus -£2 fair – able to get home despite train disruptions.

Martin Murphy – Need more joined up thinking with bus stops for disabled passengers. Local authorities pulling funding. Bus drivers on minimum wage, up to £14 an hour.

Aaron Hill – trade unions work hard to make sure drivers are paid fairly.

Gareth Stevens – what do MSs need from operators to give more real world experiences of buses going forward to give better understanding of current issues and better scrutiny of the Bill when it comes forward.

John Birtwistle – invited MS to see what life is like for operators and drivers – contact local operator to see. Congestion single biggest issue for operators – increases costs without any more income. Also makes journeys less attractive to passengers. Need bus priority – doesn’t always mean bus lanes, may mean clever light signalling or removing parking where it is obstructive. In terms of planning, 106 has fantastic role to play eg 1 year bus passes for new housing developments. Bus services to new developments – in order to make sustainable, need routes down corridors, churn of demand along route.

Peter Kingsbury (Railfuture Wales) – former local authority planning officer. Cardiff app tracks where the buses are so that people can see exactly how far bus is away from the stop they will be visiting. Will this be rolled out by other operators?

Adam Keen – Most operators have an app to track vehicles on. Punctuality and dependability key issues.

Carolyn Thomas MS– Offered to write to Cabinet Secretary on behalf of cross party group.

Craig – Proud of drivers at Cardiff bus over weekend, in extremely challenging circumstances, still moved 65% of normal passengers around Cardiff and the vale in very adverse conditions.

Carolyn Thomas MS – will write to members and encourage them to contact local operators to go on a visit.