Written question WQ99322
- Asked by
- Dan ThomasReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 6 days
Question
What plans does the Cabinet Minister have to ensure all forms of public transport are equipped with air conditioning across Wales?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport (Mark Hooper)
We recognise the importance of public transport continuing to provide high standards of comfort during periods of high temperatures, which are likely to occur more frequently in the future.
Currently over two-thirds of the TfW train fleet has air-conditioning and all the new train fleets being introduced by TfW have air conditioning. Once all the new train fleets are introduced only a small handful of trains operated by TfW will not have air-conditioning.
At the same time, Welsh Government and Transport for Wales are making a significant investment in the TrawsCymru fleet, with new buses being introduced that include modern air conditioning systems, helping to improve passenger comfort and resilience of services as part of wider network improvements.
While effective cooling can be more challenging on stop–start local services, ensuring appropriate temperature management remains an important aspect of safe operations, particularly in supporting driver wellbeing and concentration.