Under the strap line, “One network, one timetable, one ticket”, if passed, the Bill will give the Welsh Government powers to plan and co-ordinate bus services at a national level, working in consultation with local government, industry and other partners.  

Local Authorities will gain new powers to create municipal bus companies, while the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales will lead on defining the network and oversee a system of franchises, direct provision and local bus service permits. The new approach will be rolled out progressively starting in South West Wales in 2027, North Wales in 2028, South East Wales in 2029 and finally Mid Wales in 2030. 

The measures are similar to the Bus Services Bill introduced in December 2024 which paved the way for franchising in England. 

CIHT welcomes the Welsh Government’s move as an important step to achieving the Net Zero and modal shift targets in Wales’s Transport Strategy, whilst ensuring that both urban and rural communities benefit from access to public transport.  

CIHT is home to the Bus Centre of Excellence, which is funded by the Department for Transport and provides access to a wealth of best practice and on-line and in-person events.