One Network, One Timetable, One Ticket – a response from CTA

Welsh Government have set out their vision for the future of Wales’ public transport system in the recent consultation ‘One network, one timetable, one ticket’, which builds on the aspirations set out in Llwybr Newydd and Bws Cymru to deliver a truly integrated, inclusive and sustainable public transport network that works for everyone.

CTA fully supports the Welsh Government’s ambition, enshrined in Llwybr Newydd, of encouraging people to walk and cycle more, and to use shared and public transport options over private transport modes to address the climate emergency, provide equality of access, and help improve the health of the nation. We especially welcome the growing recognition that transport is a social justice issue, as accessible and affordable transport can have a significant positive impact on people’s lives and life-chances, enabling them to access education, employment, health services, social and leisure opportunities.

Our members welcome the opportunity to support Welsh Government and Transport for Wales in the plans to develop a network of bus services that are integrated, accessible, affordable, flexible, and low carbon. The community transport sector has continued to grow at a time when conventional public transport has contracted. Moreover, these community-focused services directly improve the wellbeing of people who use this form of passenger transport, making community transport integral to the conversation about Wales’ future passenger transport.

Some key points from our response are:

• If we want everybody to be able to access an integrated and sustainable public transport network and facilitate modal shift, we need to see every passenger or prospective passenger as someone of value, and coproduce services with them to meet their needs. 
• We believe there should be a statutory duty on local authorities and CJCs to consult with all transport operators in their area, both commercial and not-for-profit, when drawing up local and regional transport plans.
• Community transport is a values-driven, needs-based, community-led approach to service planning and delivery, in line with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, and should therefore be viewed as a lynchpin of a transport infrastructure aiming to be socially equitable. 
• The legislative framework to facilitate this will need to change. By taking ownership of the whole system in Wales, for Wales, we believe our transport plans and delivery should be driven by integrated policy and legislation which recognises CT as integral to passenger transport delivery. 

This response has been shaped by our members in Wales and reinforces our approach to enhancing Wales’ transport network through community-led transport. We are very grateful to the operators who have taken time out of their day jobs to inform this policy work, and give shape to the way we engage with Welsh Government on these important issues.

To read the full response, click here . If you would like to discuss this further, contact our Director for Wales, Gemma Lelliott on gemma@ctauk.org.