Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:03 pm on 22 January 2020.
Minister, transport networks are more effective when they combine modes of travel and modes of transport—buses linking into rail stations and railway links. That approach allows us, as the Deputy Minister answered in an earlier question, to be more effective in our transportation system. However, when there are no buses moving along, we have problems in putting that combination together.
We see many problems with buses. I know that a Bill is going to come forward through the Welsh Government on improving buses, but if the buses aren't going to be there in a year's time or in two years' time, when local authorities will have the ability to regulate them, we are going to have a huge problem, because those people are going to lose out.
What can you do now to ensure that those bus services are going to be working for people, both in the Valleys, in the Afan valley, and across many other communities? We are seeing buses being cut because the operator is seeing commercial opportunities disappearing. They see that it is no longer commercially viable. Now, if we want those people to work around the area and to be able to access jobs because they are using a combination of networks, the basic one is the bus. Will you ensure that we have bus services, please?