Welsh Labour Announces Measures to Take Back Control of Buses

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates announced the re-regulation of bus services across Wales to connect our communities.

Speaking at the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno, the Cabinet Secretary said introducing the Bus Bill to the Senedd in March 2025 will put passengers above profit, as well as further decarbonising the bus fleet in Wales, utilising new technologies in public transport.

The new bill will ensure Welsh Labour continues to deliver for Wales on transport, having already set out a plan to work together with the UK Labour Government to unlock additional rail capacity in North Wales and boost services by 50% in 2026.

This is in addition to existing commitments to connect communities in Wales by transforming our railways and delivering a better bus network, fixing our roads and empowering local communities to make choices on 20mph.

Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales said:

“The deregulation of the 80s has been disastrous for bus passengers, with commercial operators cherry picking the profitable routes, leaving the tax payer to subsidise the rest. We have tolerated it for long enough.

“In March we will take decisive action, introducing the Bus Bill to the Senedd, which will re-regulate bus services and put passengers ahead of profit. It’s what you could describe as taking back control. It will also lead us to decarbonise the bus fleet in Wales, utilising new technologies in public transport. And crucially, it will enable us to integrate train and bus timetables, tickets and routes.”

Alex Barros-Curtis MP, Member of Parliament for Cardiff West said:

“By working together, our two Labour Governments have unlocked £21 billion of funding for the Welsh Labour Government, including an extra £1.7 billion in infrastructure spending. We have two Transport Ministers working together on priorities for rail infrastructure in Wales.

“I look forward to spring, where we will begin the hard work to reform our bus services and introduce the Bus Bill to the Senedd, putting the Welsh people back in control and re-regulating our services and reconnecting our communities.”

As a result of two Labour Governments working together, funding has also been unlocked in the Budget to fund freeports, city and growth deals and coal tip safety.

This is in addition to the £21bn of funding for the Welsh Labour Government that has already been unlocked in the Budget, including an extra £1.7bn in infrastructure spending.