5. Will the Minister provide an update on discussions with Transport for Wales regarding social distancing on public transport? OQ55645

Yes, absolutely. The safety of customers and staff remains TfW's top priority. I continue to discuss social distancing with Transport for Wales and, indeed, with other industry partners as we work collaboratively to ensure that the safety of passengers on public transport continues.

Thanks for that answer, Minister. You'll be aware, I'm sure, of continuing concerns and anxiety surrounding Transport for Wales arrangements for students travelling from Torfaen and Monmouthshire to and from Hereford; it's an issue I raised with the Trefnydd yesterday, and she did say she'd raise it with you. Despite each child having paid for their season ticket in advance, students are being segregated from other passengers and transported on coaches, a journey that takes twice as long as by train. I'm told that the buses are inadequate and that there's no social distancing going on whatsoever. I wonder if you could update us on any discussions you've had with Transport for Wales about this and make clear to Transport for Wales that this situation is totally unacceptable and young people should be treated with the same respect and dignity as other fee-paying passengers.

Can I thank Nick Ramsay for his question? I think I will write to the Member with comprehensive detail of the rationale behind the measures that have been taken by TfW. But just to highlight briefly that Transport for Wales are currently operating 70 buses, in addition to all of the trains, to support public transport across Wales, and students from the same educational establishments can travel together on dedicated buses under our safety guidelines. The reason that greater physical distancing is required on rail services is because they carry not just students but the general public as well. Now, TfW have tried to encourage students to travel on particular services in order to maintain bubbles for specific institutions, wherever possible, and that again is in line with Government requirements. But I spoke yesterday with Transport for Wales regarding this matter, and as I've already said, I can assure the Member that I'll be writing to him with some comprehensive detail.FootnoteLink

Information further to Plenary

It's very important, of course, that staff and passengers are protected as appropriate steps are taken, but I do have a concern that train services in Anglesey are being struck too hard by the measures in place at present. I'm specifically referring to the fact that trains, for months now, don't stop in Valley or Llanfairpwll because the platform is too small to be able to open two doors. Will the Minister ask Transport for Wales to review this urgently and look for another way to mitigate the spread of the virus in a way that doesn't mean that the local vital service is being lost entirely? I'm sure there is another way to do this.

Can I thank the Member for his question and say that I'm extremely sympathetic to the point that he makes? Short platform challenges are a problem elsewhere in Wales as well, and TfW, I know, are regularly reviewing not just the figures concerning transmission of COVID, but also how they might be able to produce a novel solution to the challenge faced by stations that are too short to allow two doors to open. We do regularly review it, we will continue to do so, and as soon as we're able to allow services to stop at those stations, we will do so.

Minister, if our economy has any chance of surviving this pandemic, we have to learn to live with COVID-19. Living with the disease means that we have to keep apart from those not in our immediate family and for us to wear masks in enclosed spaces. Thankfully, masks are now mandatory on public transport, but keeping apart is more difficult. We have to ensure that not only can social distancing be maintained on public transport, but that there is sufficient capacity for those who need it. Minister, what discussions have you had with Transport for Wales and bus operators about increasing the frequency or capacity of services during this pandemic? Diolch.

Can I thank the Member for her question and the important points that she made about the responsibility that we all have as citizens in trying to overcome this challenge? I'm pleased to say, Llywydd, that based on surveys, based on field work, we're seeing an average of 95 per cent compliance of passengers wearing face coverings on both trains and buses. That's quite an impressive figure, and it's been increasing, as well. So, clearly, citizens are showing responsibility, by and large.

I can also assure the Member that all of Transport for Wales's trains are currently in use across the Wales and borders network and that we're working extensively to provide essential travel links to keep people moving. In addition to this, additional buses—as I've already said, 70 buses—are being utilised to provide home-to-school transport. We are maximising the number of vehicles that are available to support people, but because of the need to socially distance, obviously, capacity—the number of seats, the number of spaces available—has been vastly reduced. But we will continue to do whatever we can to keep people moving, to keep people commuting, to ensure that people and businesses can get through this pandemic.