Speed up those buses, Wales! Campaigners have made a bold claim: if buses zipped 10% faster, every household in Wales could see a £400 annual boost. 🚍💨
Why the sudden interest in bus speeds? Well, the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru believes that by prioritising bus lanes, managing traffic lights more efficiently, and designing towns with commuters in mind, buses could start cruising at an average of 13.6mph. This modest increase in speed could save millions and make bus travel more enticing.
Bus travel times have skyrocketed by 50% over the last five decades on busy urban routes. Reversing this trend could be game-changing. With quicker commutes, experts predict 2.8 million more passengers on bustling urban routes and over 3 million across Wales! That’s one extra journey per person, generating a whopping £7 million more in revenue. Imagine the growth and investment that could follow!
For the councils, faster buses mean savings, translating to what feels like £400 annually for every household. It’s a win-win!
What needs to happen? Keep fares low, streamline funding, and make small but impactful changes like adding bus lanes. It’s all about making buses the go-to for everyone.
Aaron Hill, director of CPT Cymru, summed it up: “Buses are Wales’ favourite transport, but traffic holds them back, frustrating passengers and hurting the economy. It’s time for change!”
Ahead of the Senedd election, the campaign “Driving Wales Forward” is urging future leaders to prioritise buses. Their demands include clear funding, keeping fares low, ensuring value for money, and targeting a 10% speed increase.
Martin Gibbon, chair of CPT Cymru, added: “Operators are ready to deliver faster, greener transport; we just need leaders to prioritise it.”
Let’s rally for speedier buses and see the ripple effect of benefits for our households, economies, and the environment! 🌍🚌💪 #DrivingWalesForward #FasterBuses #TransportRevolution