Welsh Government resists calls to follow England in introducing bus fare cap
Earlier the Prime Minister revealed single fares will be capped at £2 in England from next year
The Welsh Government has defended public transport in Wales, as it faces calls to follow England in having a £2 bus single fare cap.
The Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced measures will be introduced from next year to help with the cost of living.
In Wales, the Plaid Cymru-led administration says there are already schemes supporting young people, over 60s and those with disabilities.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said:
"Wales is leading the way on affordable, accessible public transport.
"We have already introduced £1 bus fares for young people aged 5 to 21 on services across Wales, and our free bus pass scheme means over-60s and disabled people can travel without paying a penny.
"We have also confirmed plans for a new coach service linking the north and south of Wales, improving connectivity across the nation and cutting journey times by over an hour.”
But Reform and Welsh Labour want Wales to benefit from a measure the new Prime Minister says will help ease the cost of living.
Reform UK Wales’s Shadow Minister for Transport, Jason O’Connell MS, said:
“Adults in Wales are paying a high price for the Plaid Cymru Government’s failure to deliver a Wales-wide fare cap, like what is happening over the border.
“Affordable and reliable bus travel is vital for Wales’s economy. It helps people access jobs, supports local businesses, and keeps rural communities connected.
“Now that funding has been made available by the UK Government, the First Minister must act to cap bus fares and help ease the cost of living for people across Wales.”
Ken Skates MS, Welsh Labour Leader said:
"It's great to see the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham acting quickly to give families some breathing space with the cost of living.
"Introducing a £2 bus fare cap in Wales is of course a decision for the Welsh Government. That's why Welsh Labour had a manifesto commitment to do just that.
"This Plaid Cymru Government should urgently look to introduce a cap in Wales. Otherwise people in Wales will be left paying more for bus travel than our neighbours across the border."