Written question WQ83233

In response to a sharp decline in passenger demand as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many bus operators across Wales have been operating reduced services. With the success of our vaccination programme and the recent announcement that Wales is at Alert Level 0 we have seen an increase in demand.

Welsh Government officials continue to work with bus operators and local authorities to ensure there is sufficient capacity to meet passenger demand. This will include restoring normal timetables on services where there are sufficient passenger numbers to make this viable.

Welsh Government is producing a bus plan (Bws Cymru) which will set out our priorities and aspirations for improved local bus services in Wales, including coverage and integration. Stakeholders and representative bodies will be consulted and asked to input into the plan as it develops through a series of engagement sessions that are being planned over the coming months.