Local Government

CPT responds to Welsh Labour £2 bus fare pledge

Published

5 months ago

January 9, 2026

THE CONFEDERATION of Passenger Transport has welcomed Welsh Labour’s pledge to introduce a £2 cap on all single bus fares across Wales if the party leads the next Welsh Government, while warning that any such policy must be properly funded to be sustainable.

Responding to the announcement, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) said lower fares could play an important role in boosting bus use and cutting car dependency, but cautioned against unfunded commitments.

Aaron Hill, Director of CPT Cymru, said buses remain the most widely used form of public transport in Wales.

“Buses are Wales’s favourite form of public transport, carrying nearly 200,000 passengers a day. They’re a green, affordable and convenient alternative to travelling by car,” he said.

“Bus operators welcome ideas and policies that will encourage people across Wales to take public transport more often.”

Mr Hill said Wales had lagged behind other parts of Great Britain in recent years when it came to fare initiatives, pointing to England’s £2 cap scheme, which has been extended several times with central government backing.

“Wales has been slow, in comparison to the rest of Great Britain, to invest in lower bus fares, so a cap of £2 would be a welcome step in boosting public transport usage,” he said.
“It is vital that any cap is backed with adequate funding, and that a strategy is in place to capture gains for the long term if the cap is for a limited period.”

Welsh Labour has also pledged to introduce 100 new bus routes across Wales as part of its wider transport plans. CPT said the ambition was positive but stressed the need for realistic delivery.

“Bus operators welcome Welsh Labour’s pledge to introduce 100 new bus routes,” Mr Hill added.
“We stand ready to work with the party on identifying pockets of demand and on discussing how this goal could be fulfilled, while ensuring value for money.”

However, the organisation warned that past experience showed a gap between political ambition and financial reality.

Public funding for bus services under the current Welsh Government has, CPT said, not always matched the scale of commitments made by ministers, with operators facing rising costs linked to fuel, wages and vehicle investment.

“Public funding under the current Welsh administration has not always been sufficient to meet the level of ambition set out by politicians,” Mr Hill said.
“It is vital that, as a nation, we bridge this gap and that pledges are backed by hard cash.”

Opposition parties have previously raised concerns that fare caps, while popular with passengers, can place significant strain on already stretched transport budgets if not fully funded, potentially leading to service reductions elsewhere. Some local authorities have also warned that rural routes, which are more expensive to operate, could be at risk if funding does not keep pace with lower fares.

CPT said any future investment must be carefully designed.

“All public investment in buses must be designed to generate value for money and to deliver a visible impact for passengers,” Mr Hill said.

Welsh Labour has argued that cheaper fares and expanded routes would increase passenger numbers, reduce congestion and help meet climate targets, but has yet to set out detailed costings for the proposals.

With bus services under pressure across Wales, CPT said collaboration between government, local authorities and operators would be essential if fare caps and network expansion are to deliver lasting benefits rather than short-term gains.

Unite has also cautiously welcomed today’s Welsh Labour’s commitment to a £2 bus fare cap and the expansion of bus routes across Wales, recognising that affordable, reliable public transport is essential for workers, communities, and the Welsh economy.

The union has long argued that buses are a public service, not a profit-making exercise, and the commitment to bring services back under public control through the Bus Services Bill is a significant step in the right direction.

A fare cap, if properly funded, could help tackle transport poverty, support access to work and education, and reduce car dependency.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Public transport should be just that. Owned by the public and run for the public. And this should extend to fares that allow workers, students and families to go about their business for a fair fare. Today’s announcement by the Welsh Labour is a step in the right direction.”

Unite also welcomes the news in December confirming the passing of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill, which will see bus services come back under public control.

Lead officer for public transport in Wales, Alan McCarthy said: “It will surprise nobody that deregulation has failed to deliver for communities in Wales. Unite has long campaigned for bus services to return to public control, the bill is a significant step forward in ensuring that services work in favour of passengers and communities rather than shareholders and profiteers.

“The next step is to ensure that workers’ pay and conditions are not just preserved but enhanced as a result of this. Deregulation created an environment where profits were maximised by suppressing pay. Bus workers pay and conditions in Wales are among the worst in the UK. Unite will not allow workers to pay for franchising.”

Local Government

Newgale hill closure warning as councillor fears “severe delays”

Published

5 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MOTORISTS are being warned to expect major disruption when resurfacing work closes Newgale hill later this month.

Pembrokeshire County Council is due to carry out work on Tuesday, June 23, from 9:00am to 3:30pm, and Wednesday, June 24, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The closure will affect the A487 from above the Newgale shop to Penycwm.

County councillor Mark Carter said he fully supported the resurfacing work, but had “severe concerns” about the diversion arrangements.

Traffic is expected to be sent along the partially single-track route from Penycwm to Victoria, Roch, via Eweston and Roch Bridge.

Cllr Carter said the route is used during winter storms when waves overtop at Newgale, but warned traffic is usually much lighter at that time of year.

He said: “I believe there will be severe delays and confrontation on this route when traffic meets head-on.”

He added that he had suggested alternatives, including carrying out the work at a quieter time of year, night working, a convoy system, or using a different route to create more of a one-way flow.

However, he said he had been told the closure would go ahead as planned.

Cllr Carter said PCC had indicated staff would be on the diversion route to assist traffic, but he had not yet received an answer about arrangements for service buses.

He advised residents to avoid the diversion where possible and allow extra time by travelling further around Newgale.

Local Government

Council admits 74 rights of way complaints remain unresolved

Published

6 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Key post vacant since February as walker raises safety concerns over paths near Llanteg and Amroth

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has admitted that 74 public rights of way enquiries remain unresolved, as concerns grow over staffing shortages and alleged obstructions on countryside paths.

The admission follows a formal complaint from visitor Daniel Murphy, who contacted the council after walking a number of public footpaths in the Llanteg and Amroth area while holidaying in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Murphy said he had been using the paths to avoid busy roads while carrying his 11-week-old daughter, but claimed he encountered a series of problems including blocked or difficult access points, damaged gates, overgrowth, missing or concealed signage, dumped materials and intimidating conditions for walkers.

The complaint relates to paths identified on the Definitive Map as SP10/11, SP10/13, SP10/14, SP10/15 and SP10/20 on Map 87.

In correspondence seen by The Herald, Mr Murphy said he had first contacted the council on April 3, but had not received a substantive response. He later escalated the matter as a formal complaint.

Among the issues he raised were claims that fencing had been placed across a path, that a kissing gate had been modified with a timber plank, that a gate mechanism had been damaged, and that old roofing sheets had been dumped near one of the routes, raising concerns over potentially hazardous material.

He also reported severe overgrowth at gates and stiles, and claimed one section of path was affected by an aggressive loose dog.

Council response

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed to The Herald that it had received the formal complaint.

A council spokesperson said an inspection of the footpaths associated with the complaint would be carried out by officers by the end of this week.

The council also confirmed that its Definitive Map Officer post has been vacant since February 1, 2026, while recruitment options are being considered.

Asked whether public rights of way legal enforcement was currently suspended or delayed because of staffing shortages, the council said there were “limited staff resources” available to deal with Public Rights of Way legal matters.

It said cases were being triaged and staff resources were being prioritised towards urgent and critical matters.

The council confirmed that, at present, 74 enquiries remain outstanding in the Pembrokeshire County Council area.

It said that when public rights of way are alleged to be obstructed, an automated holding response is currently issued. The enquiry is then triaged, with priority cases identified and progressed as capacity permits.

The council also said the report of potentially hazardous materials being deposited on or beside the routes would be investigated as part of the planned inspection.

‘Committed to statutory duties’

A council spokesperson said: “The Council would like to reassure the public that it remains fully committed to meeting its statutory duties in relation to public rights of way and to ensuring that routes are accessible and open for all users.

“We recognise the importance of this service; however, there is currently a national shortage of specialist expertise in public rights of way roles.

“Recruitment to the Council’s vacant Definitive Map Officer post has therefore proved challenging. In light of this, we are actively exploring alternative options to ensure that our responsibilities continue to be delivered effectively.

“We are hopeful that the recruitment position will be resolved within the next few months and will continue to keep the situation under close review in the meantime.”

The Herald understands that the routes concerned sit within the wider Llanteg and Amroth footpath network, an area used by both residents and visitors.

The council’s inspection is expected to determine whether the reported obstructions, damaged access points and possible hazardous materials require further action.

Local Government

Cllr Thomas Tudor welcomes new Riverside transport interchange

Published

6 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CLLR THOMAS TUDOR has welcomed progress on the new Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange in Haverfordwest, saying the development will help support the future regeneration of the county town.

Cllr Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, visited the site with Pembrokeshire County Council officers and said he was optimistic about the role the interchange could play in making Haverfordwest a more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.

He said: “As county councillor for the Castle Ward, it was very pleasing to visit the Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange and see the progress being made.

“I believe the interchange will help Haverfordwest become a more multi-functional town centre, supporting residents, businesses, visitors and public transport users.

“It has the potential to contribute to a thriving commercial and residential location, with a stronger sense of place and a more vibrant community. I am very optimistic about the future development of Haverfordwest as the county town of Pembrokeshire.”

The new development includes parking over three floors, bus bays, disabled and parent-and-child spaces, EV charging points, motorcycle bays, cycle hoops, a taxi rank with EV infrastructure, public toilets, a Changing Places facility, indoor waiting areas, customer information screens, lifts, stairwells, and secure office space for council staff and police use.

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor at the Glan-yr-Afon Riverside Public Transport Interchange in Haverfordwest.