That Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters acknowledges that the Welsh Government has little idea of where money for its grand plans to reform bus services will come from, except that it may follow a change of national government at the next general election, should come as an eyeopener.
An outright lack of funding is not the shocker here. The collective affordability of bus reregulation, fares overhaul and further transition to zero-emission in Wales has been doubted by industry members there since plans were first published in March.
No, what raises eyebrows is Mr Waters’ acceptance that not only is money currently not there for those proposals, but that it is also scant for maintaining existing socially necessary bus services.
Few are the politicians at his level who have publicly recognised that their own plans are effectively unaffordable, but the Deputy Minister’s frankness exposes what will likely be a recurring theme in 2023: Difficult decisions about what can be paid for, and what needs to be parked for the time being.
The alternative is a universe where promises of 4,000 zero-emission buses, widespread priority measures and more in return for operator buy-in becomes a pipedream that continues to hamstring many operators’ transition to a new normal.
Governments must be honest about funding landscapes for bus services and zero-emission coach objectives. If transport ministers make a resolution for 2023, that should be it.
On that positive note, routeone wishes readers and their families a restful festive season and a prosperous New Year. Thanks for your support in 2022.
