5. What plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to improve access to public transport for disabled people? OAQ(5)0116(EI)

We are fully committed to public transport for disabled people that removes barriers to travel, that empowers people and that promotes independent living, rather than inhibits it. I’m also particularly keen to ensure that public transport empowers vulnerable groups to participate in society, and this is a cornerstone of ‘Taking Wales Forward’.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Does the Cabinet Secretary have any plans to increase the role of community transport in the future, as part of the mix of transport available? Last week, I visited VEST and found that it was overrun with requests from people asking for help to go to day centres and to go to doctor’s appointments, and it seemed to me that there is a crucial role for community transport in the future. So, what plans does he have?

As I just said to Neil McEvoy, I think community transport plays as an essential role within the mix, and we’ve seen an increase in the number of people using community transport in recent times. It’s my belief that community transport plays a particularly important role for people who are unable to access conventional buses or trains, or who may have particular health-related requirements. I want the community transport sector to be part of the solution for my plans for a fully integrated public transport network across Wales. I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to freeze and maintain the bus services support grant at £25 million, which is available to community transport, and I’m very pleased that that fund is being utilised by many of the operators around Wales.

Can I commend Julie Morgan for raising this issue about community transport? Because for the most disabled people—those that are most vulnerable and least likely to take any sort of journey—community transport is vital. I think it’s fair to say there was a lot of innovation until about 10 years ago when the grants system changed a bit, and it’s not quite been taken forward with the sort of pace that we are seeing improvements, whether actual or planned, in public transport. But there are ways of delivering these services in a very innovative, effective way, but they do need quite a high level of subsidy, and I think those people deserve that type of support from the rest of us.

I couldn’t agree more. I think it’s absolutely essential that we recognise that public transport should be an empowering provision, and that every person in society should expect access to good-quality forms of public transport. The Member might be interested to know that I’ve established an accessibility group to advise me on the new rail franchise, but the group is also able to advise me on other forms of public transport such as community transport. I think it’s essential that we recognise, again, as part of that fully integrated system, that community transport will become increasingly important across communities, not just in more urbanised areas but especially in rural areas where often there are no other solutions available.

The general opinion is that the rolling stock that is used by the current rail franchise in Wales is of a very poor quality and significant investment will need to be put into it to improve the stock, which impacts on the passenger experience. But, in addition to that, by 1 January 2020, the carriages will have to conform to the new rules for accessibility for disabled people. According to the most recent survey, 73 per cent of the Wales and borders carriages would not attain the required standard. Are you confident that it’s possible for 100 per cent of the new Wales and borders franchise to attain that standard by 2020?

It’s essential that the PRM 2020 is met by the new franchise operators. All four bidders are well aware of their obligations that they must meet by 2020. As we are currently involved in a competitive dialogue process with the bidders, I can’t reveal any of the details of what they are offering, but I can assure the Member that we are focused on delivering a transport system that doesn’t just offer quick, reliable transport for the most able, but is also there and capable of meeting all of the current and indeed near future measures that will be introduced.

With regard to accessibility for rail users, I’ve mentioned the accessibility group that’s been convened to advise on the next franchise and I’ve also sought agreement—and it’s been given—from each of the four bidders for that group to liaise directly with them over how they can meet the obligations that are going to be there in 2020.