I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak this afternoon on the future development of Transport for Wales. The purpose of this report is to make sure Transport for Wales is fit for purpose. To that end, the committee makes 13 recommendations. It is pleasing to note that the Welsh Government has accepted all 13 recommendations, and Transport for Wales itself has welcomed the report. 

I would like to confine my remarks today to some of the important key principles highlighted by the committee. The first concerns are: transparency and clarity in operations, role and governance. This emerged as a key issue during the inquiry, with a variety of views being expressed. Concerns were expressed that, at present, there is no clarity over where the functions of Transport for Wales end and those of Welsh Government begin. Welsh Government must clearly define the remit of TfW to the satisfaction of shareholders and customers. I look forward to hearing from the Minister how he intends to achieve this in his reply.

As the report says,

'transport is first and foremost about the needs of the user…TfW must demonstrate a stronger commitment to meeting customer needs and improving passenger experience'.

Although the committee recognised that TfW expressed willingness to be open, concerns were raised that the availability of information for the public had been slow to appear and incomplete. The impression given was that TfW had been providing information and engaging with stakeholders on a reactive rather than proactive basis, which I think Bethan has already mentioned. As a relatively new organisation, these problems are not surprising. TfW must move quickly to set up a formal advisory group to engage with stakeholder bodies and improve public awareness about its responsibilities and functions. A wide range of mechanisms to consult with stakeholders and passengers would demonstrate a stronger commitment to meeting customers' needs and improving passengers' experience.