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£1 bus fares for young people across Wales from September

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Scheme to launch for 16 to 21-year-olds, expanding to children aged five and above by November

YOUNG PEOPLE in Wales aged 16 to 21 will be able to travel on buses for just £1 per journey from 1 September, thanks to a new Welsh Government scheme aimed at reducing travel costs and boosting access to education, work, and leisure.

The scheme will also include the option of a £3 unlimited day ticket, valid across participating bus services throughout Wales. The initiative will run for one year initially and is part of a broader push to improve public transport access and tackle rural isolation.

To qualify, eligible young people must apply for a free mytravelpass, with applications opening on 21 July via mytravelpass.tfw.wales.

From 3 November, the scheme will be extended to include children aged five to 15. Until then, existing reduced fares for children will remain in place.

Welsh Government investment

A total of £15 million will be allocated over two financial years (2025–26 and 2026–27) to support the £1 fare scheme for 16 to 21-year-olds. A further £7 million will support the extension to five to 15-year-olds.

The investment is part of a budget agreement between the Welsh Government and the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds MS.

Ministers welcome launch

Speaking at the launch event at Newport Bus Station, First Minister Eluned Morgan said:

“Cutting the cost of travel for young people and providing better transport for all is one of our top priorities. We are delivering on our promises to young people across Wales.

“This investment will make a real difference to communities all over Wales, especially in rural areas.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, added: “I am delighted to be launching a scheme that offers affordable bus travel for young people to help them access education, training, employment, and leisure.

“It also supports our wider goals of reducing carbon emissions, increasing public transport use, and tackling poverty. I urge all eligible young people to sign up for their mytravelpass from 21 July, so they’re ready to benefit when the scheme starts on 1 September.”

Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds MS, said: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government is implementing this key Welsh Liberal Democrat policy to help young people with the cost of public transport.

“So many young people have told me what a difference both the £1 single and £3 daily tickets will make to their lives when the scheme launches in September.

“This policy – along with initiatives like free childcare hours for two-year-olds – shows the real impact the Welsh Liberal Democrats are already having on people’s lives across Wales.

“Today’s launch is an important reminder of why the Welsh Liberal Democrats put party politics to one side in order to pass the Welsh Government’s budget.

“These policies are just the beginning of our ambition for Wales, and we’re determined to deliver even more to help build the fair, caring, and prosperous country we all want to see.”

 

Climate

Blue sea creatures wash up on Welsh beaches including Tenby

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VISITORS to Welsh beaches have been warned not to touch unusual blue sea creatures which have washed ashore along parts of the coastline.

Hundreds of velella velella, commonly known as by-the-wind sailors, have been reported on beaches in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.

The small, bright blue marine creatures are free-floating hydrozoans and are related to Portuguese man o’ war, sea anemones and corals.

They get their name from a small sail-like structure on their body, which catches the wind and carries them across the surface of the sea.

One was spotted on Tenby South Beach on Tuesday (Jun 16), where beachgoer Maxine Allinson described it as “fantastic” and “like a crystal”.

Marine experts say the creatures are often seen after changes in currents or stormy weather, which can push large numbers ashore at the same time.

Although they are much smaller and less dangerous than Portuguese man o’ war, they do have stinging cells.

Their sting is usually mild, but people are being advised not to pick them up, especially as contact with the face, lips or sensitive skin could cause pain or tingling.

Experts also warn that the stinging cells can remain active even after the creatures appear to be dead on the beach.

The advice is to admire them from a safe distance and leave them where they are.

Caption: Maxine Allinson spotted a velella velella on Tenby South beach Tuesday

 

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Local Government

Mayor to hold drop-in session for Haverfordwest residents

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HAVERFORDWEST residents will have the chance to raise ideas, concerns and local issues directly with the town’s mayor this week.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner will hold a Talk to Your Mayor session on Thursday, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm.

The initiative is aimed at giving residents an opportunity to speak directly with the mayor about matters affecting the town and wider community.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said communication and engagement were “vital”, adding that the session was about listening to local people, working together, and ensuring every voice had the opportunity to be heard.

Anyone wishing to book an appointment is asked to contact the Haverfordwest Town Council town clerk.

The mayor said: “Together, we can continue building a stronger and more connected community. Together we can make Haverfordwest the best in the west.”

 

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News

Senedd rejects Reform call to end Welsh Government international spending

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THE SENEDD has rejected a Reform UK motion calling for an end to all Welsh Government international spending, after a heated debate which saw several Members walk out of the chamber.

The motion, tabled by Reform MS Llŷr Powell, was defeated by 48 votes to 37 on Wednesday (Jun 17).

An amended motion, backing Wales’ reputation as an “internationalist, tolerant and outward-looking nation”, was then passed by the same margin.

The debate followed warnings from Hub Cymru Africa and other campaigners that ending international spending would damage Wales’ global reputation and undermine projects linking Welsh communities with partners overseas.

Reform argued that Welsh Government money should be focused on domestic pressures, including the NHS, schools, transport and the cost of living.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar backed the Reform motion, saying foreign relations and international development were matters for the UK Government rather than Cardiff Bay.

But Plaid Cymru and Welsh Government speakers rejected that argument, saying Wales’ international work supported trade, public services, education, health partnerships and the country’s reputation abroad.

The debate became heated after comments by Reform MS Joe Martin, who criticised overseas schemes including beekeeping and tree-planting projects in Uganda.

Several MSs left the Siambr during his contribution, with the Llywydd later urging Members to reflect on the tone of the debate.

Hub Cymru Africa had said before the vote that Wales’ international solidarity budget represented a tiny fraction of overall spending and helped deliver work in public health, climate action, women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

The organisation said the vote was an opportunity for the Senedd to reaffirm Wales’ place in the world.

 

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