5. Statement by the Minister for Economy and Transport: Concessionary Travel

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:13 pm on 8 October 2019.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 5:13, 8 October 2019

Thank you. Firstly, Transport for Wales messed up on this one, because they should've provided us with a briefing in advance and also to people who work in public services in our libraries, so that we knew that this change was coming, rather than having members of the public telling us what was going to happen, which certainly happened to me on 10 September.

Secondly, you're absolutely right that if we are going to have increased bus services to enable people to use these passes, then we need to drive more people to use the bus who need to be using the bus. So, exactly how are we going to make the bus journey faster than the car journey in our built-up areas, like in Cardiff, where we have disgraceful levels of air pollution? Because, at the moment, we are cross-subsidising the cost of people using their cars to come into work when they should be using the bus. So, exactly how are we going to make people leave the car at home for coming into the city centre, commuting?