9. 7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Concessionary Bus and Rail Travel for Young People

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:04 pm on 18 October 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 5:04, 18 October 2017

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’d like to thank all Members in the Chamber for their contributions today in what is becoming a very much transport-related set of debates. Before I respond to comments specifically about bus services, I’d like to add my name to the list of car enthusiasts and say that Wales is in a prime position to take advantage of emerging technologies, particularly in electric and hydrogen powertrains. In fact, I’m a classic car enthusiast, and I’m pleased to say that it’s now possible to convert your petrol-driven classic car to an electric powertrain, thanks to a service that actually exists here in Wales, Dragon Electric Vehicles, right at the forefront of developing electric engines for existing vehicles. We are right at the forefront of research and of development and of implementing new ways of powering vehicles.

Moving back to bus services, and particularly bus services for young people, I think it’s abundantly clear from this debate that we all wish to see more young people using local bus services. We want people to use them more regularly, not just for environmental benefits, but also, as Suzy Davies highlighted, for wider social and well-being benefits, for better connecting communities and, crucially, enabling people to better connect with other human beings. And so, it’s the objective of this Government, and it’s something that we are keen to encourage for the well-being of existing and, indeed, future generations.