New standards to drive up quality of bus services in Wales

Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, has published new standards for local bus services across Wales to improve quality, accessibility and information for passengers.

The Voluntary Welsh Bus Quality Standard sets out some core requirements bus operators will need to meet in order to receive the Welsh Government’s Bus Services Support Grant. The standard also incudes some enhanced requirements that are designed to encourage and reward operators to further improve the quality of local bus services.

Transport Minister Edwina Hart said:

“Bus services provide vital access to employment and services for many people across Wales. The Welsh Government is committed to improving the experience for passengers and encouraging more people to use bus services. We have already revamped our Traws Cymru long distance bus service and the new Voluntary Welsh Bus Quality Standard will improve standards on local services.

By March 2017, bus operators will be required to meet the core standards on young persons’ discounted fares, information, accessibility and cleanliness in order to receive Welsh Government grant funding. These standards have been developed by the Bus Policy Advisory Group and are based on the quality standard introduced in south east Wales earlier this year.”