BC2

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

Response from Councillor Williams

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?

Definitely.  

Please give the reasons for your answer.

The powers that the Assembly could exercise will ensure that the rural and urban areas are better served than under the present deregulated system.

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?

Please give the reasons for your answer.

The wording is broadly correct

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?:  

No

Please give the reasons for your answer.

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

This measure is long overdue - the introduction of franchising will ensure a better quality of bus and coach services and will hopefully be driven by a coordinated transport policy for 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?  

This is also an overdue measure in the light of events that have occurred in respect of school transport over the past few years.