A joint statement on the Bus Emergency Scheme

A joint statement from Welsh Government, WLGA, Confederation of Passenger Transport and Coach and Bus Association Cymru

The Bus Emergency Scheme (BES) has kept vital bus services running throughout the pandemic.

Without the scheme we would have seen mass cancellations of services and communities left isolated.

We now need to start to transition away from emergency style funding.

The scheme was due to come to an end in March 2023 but, after extensive conversations, we can confirm we are able to extend it for a transitional period.

An initial extension of three months gives the industry the short term stability it needs while we continue to work together on planning bus networks which better suit the new travel patterns we have seen since the end of the pandemic.

Following conversations with the Traffic Commissioner, the deregistration window has also been temporarily reduced to 28 days.

The extension of funding together with the 28-day window means there is no need for operators to make decisions on their future network in the very immediate future.

We will continue to work closely together and with other partners – including Transport for Wales – to build a strong and sustainable bus network for Wales.

Datganiad ar y cyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, Conffederasiwn Cludiant Teithwyr a Chymdeithas Bysiau Cymru

Mae’r Cynllun Argyfwng Bysiau (BES) wedi cadw gwasanaethau bws hanfodol i redeg drwy gydol y pandemig.

Heb y cynllun byddem wedi gweld canslo gwasanaethau a chymunedau yn cael eu hynysu.

Mae angen i ni nawr ddechrau symud i ffwrdd o gyllido brys.

Roedd y cynllun i fod i ddod i ben ym mis Mawrth 2023 ond, ar ôl sgyrsiau helaeth, gallwn gadarnhau ein bod yn gallu ei ymestyn am gyfnod pontio.

Mae estyniad cychwynnol o dri mis yn rhoi’r sefydlogrwydd tymor byr sydd ei angen ar y diwydiant tra ein bod yn parhau i gydweithio ar gynllunio rhwydweithiau sy’n gweddu’n well i’r patrymau teithio newydd yr ydym wedi’u gweld ers diwedd y pandemig.

Yn dilyn sgyrsiau gyda’r Comisiynydd Traffig, mae’r ffenestr dadgofrestru hefyd wedi cael ei gostwng dros dro i 28 diwrnod.

Mae ymestyn y cyllid ynghyd â’r ffenestr 28 diwrnod yn golygu nad oes angen i weithredwyr wneud penderfyniadau ar ddyfodol eu rhwydwaith yn y dyfodol agos iawn.

Byddwn yn parhau i gydweithio’n agos gyda phartneriaid eraill – gan gynnwys Trafnidiaeth Cymru – i adeiladu rhwydwaith bysiau cryf a chynaliadwy ar gyfer Cymru.