BC5

Proposed Provision of Bus and Coach Services Legislative Competence Order

Response from Coleg Harlech Workers Education Association

6. Consultation questions

1. Do you agree with the principle that legislative competence for "the provision of bus and coach services” in Wales should be conferred on the National Assembly for Wales?

Yes. I strongly support a fully integrated public transport system.

Please give the reasons for your answer.

The bus service in my area is generally poor with plans, I believe, to make it even worse.

Whilst there is some little attempt at integration of services, this is of limited use to adult learners or staff needing to travel to places of learning/work.

Existing connections between services are restricted to:

• very limited times of the day, thus restricting the ability of users to travel according to need;

• some limited integration between buses serving a particular provider(s), with no integration between buses and trains.

In this area, there is particular student and community concern re a planned cut to (already poor) services between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Harlech.

2. If you agree with the principle, do you think that the wording of the proposed legislative competence order is correct, or do you think it is too broad or too narrow?

I think the wording is too narrow.

Please give the reasons for your answer.

I think the wording should be broadened to ensure both that the bus service is improved and that full integration takes place not only with other bus services but also with rail services (which are also generally poor).

Schedule 7 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 sets out the legislative competence that the National Assembly would have following a referendum supporting the commencement of Assembly Act provisions.  

Subject 10 is Highways and Transport.  This is defined as:

Highways, including bridges and tunnels.  Streetworks.  Traffic management and regulation.  Transport facilities and services.

Exceptions to Subject 10 include the following:

• Regulation of use of motor vehicles and trailers on roads, their construction and equipment and conditions under which they may be so used, apart from regulation of use of vehicles carrying animals for purpose of protecting human, animal or plant health, animal welfare or the environment.

• Driver licensing

• Drivers’ hours

• Public service vehicle operator licensing

3. Do you think that the National Assembly for Wales should be given competence over some or all of the exceptions listed above in relation to the provision of bus and coach services in Wales?:

The Assembly should be given competence over all of the above exceptions.

Please give the reasons for your answer.

I think that greater competence will result in more effective action and outcome.

4. What are your views on the main objective of the proposed LCO which is to introduce a bus franchising system in Wales?

I fully support the main objective of the proposed LCO with the reintroduction of a public service ethos, making it possible to bring forward an Assembly Measure that would give London-style franchising powers to Wales.

5. What are your views on the use of the proposed LCO to provide the Assembly with the necessary powers to improve school transport safety?

I fully support the use of the proposed LCO to obtain powers to improve school transport safety.

I am responding both as an individual and as a member of staff of an educational provider which covers a wide geographical area. My response has the support of other members of the organisation.

I would be prepared to give oral evidence subject to availability.