Investment in public transport essential for our economy

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have highlighted their commitment to investing in public transport to help drive the economic recovery.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are outlining plans to:

· Create up to eight Joint Transport Authorities, responsible for all local transport.

· Re-regulate buses to so that all parts of our communities are properly served.

· Improve the accessibility and safety available of rail stations.

· Establish the feasibility of introducing a Wales-wide Oystercard.

· Invest in rail transport by, renegotiating the Arriva Trains Wales contract to improve train frequency and quality, beginning to electrify the Valleys Lines and re-opening closed stations.

· Retain free bus travel for the elderly.

· Scrap the subsidy for the Ieuan Air North-South airlink.

· Work to develop a reciprocal agreement for using Welsh bus passes in England.

· Require new Joint Transport Authorities to plan for Community Transport and implement three-year budgeting for community transport schemes.

Rob Speht, the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Swansea West said:

“The Labour-Plaid government It has wasted £8 million of our money subsidising the 'Ieuan Air' north-south airlink, but has failed to invest sufficiently in sustainable rail and bus transport.

“Only the Welsh Liberal Democrats will scrap this tax payer subsidised pollution and instead prioritise rail and bus travel.

“We will protect free bus travel for pensioners but we also understand that free bus travel only helps if there is a decent bus service. So we will re-regulate the buses to ensure that new transport authorities can plan a proper services across Wales, including in the rural and poorere areas whcih are so let down at the moment.”

Peter Black, the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for South Wales West said:

“Getting public transport right is a critical part of ensuring that Wales grows successfully.

“It’s great news that journey times to Swansea will be shortened by 20 minutes after the announcement of the electrification of the Great Western Mainline. We’ll continue to press for electrification to Swansea because of the other advantages that it brings.”



“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will re-negotiate the Arriva Trains contract to ensure that we invest in re-opening new stations and electrifying the Valleys lines and make existing stations more accesible and safe.”