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

Response from Councillor Richard Bertin

25 September 2008

I wish to enlist my support for the proposed model of providing bus and coach services in Wales.

As an employee of the bus industry, I feel that the current de-regulated arrangement does not work and is in urgent need of change. Having considered the proposals - based on the London model, I believe that if the Assembly were to take over the responsibility for bus and coach services in Wales; we would have a better integrated network and ticketing system, we would have improved working between local authorities and bus operators and we would have the right power’s to improve safety on school transport.

I request that you take my views into account when considering this matter and ask that the changes are implemented to ensure that we have a bus network that meets the needs and demands for the whole of Wales.

Councillor Richard Bertin
Vale of Glamorgan Council
www.richardbertin.com

Encs.

33 Maes-y-Cwm St, Barry. CF63 4EJ

Answers to Consultation Questions

1. I fully agree with the LCO in that the National Assembly for Wales should take over the responsibility for bus and coach services in Wales under the control of the relevant local authority.

2. The proposed LCO is correct with the exceptions being kept nationally under the control of either central government or the European Union to ensure consistency in terms of driver licensing, hours and operation to ensure that there is no confusion and consistency across the E.U. with the exception of vehicle and operator licensing.

3. Public service licensing should come under the control of the Assembly to ensure that the vehicles are fit to operate to our standards in Wales and not as we have seen in the past where the traffic commissioner has been powerless to act as he or she has not had the relevant powers to act and ensure that operators who fail to meet the standards of operation are severely fined and prevented from operating for say five years or more.

1. See letter attached.

2. I fully support and concur with the views that we need to improve school transport safety in Wales.

Councillor Richard Bertin,
Vale of Glamorgan Council

10^th August 2008.