Proposed Provision of Bus and Coach Services Legislative Competence Order (LCO)

Response from Coleg Sir Gar

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?

Please give the reasons for your answer.

Yes as this will be the cornerstone for a fully integrated transport network that will be responsive to local and regional needs. This would obviously be of benefit to students by providing them with an accessible and flexible service. It would also impact on costs and have environmental impacts by reducing the use of private cars. Greater central control would also have an impact on standards, particularly those related to safety.

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?

The wording is correct particularly as it includes reference to socially valuable routes. There is a need for a body to have the powers to oversee the operation of transport rather than allow local cartels to run services on a business model only.

Please give the reasons for your answer.

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?

Please give the reasons for your answer.

NAW should be given competence over all of the above exceptions as they have a direct impact on the current proposal.

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

We are very supportive of this proposal for its social, economic and environmental benefits.

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?

This is a significant reason for the proposal.