AN Assembly Member has expressed concern that cuts in funding for bus services in Wales are more than those in England and that bus operators were given inadequate notice about them - compared to the 18 month notice period in England.

Mark Isherwood raised the matter in the Assembly Chamber yesterday when calling for a Welsh Government Statement on bus user services.

He said: “Last week, in the Chamber, I highlighted concern expressed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport Wales and  Councils that the Welsh Government‘s cuts to the bus service operators grant and the local transport services grant were too large, that inadequate notice had been given, and that it could have a significant and detrimental impact on bus users. In his response, the Minister said that, in Wales, there had been a more generous bus service operators grant than in England, but he was happy to enter into discussion with bus service operators and hoped to arrange an urgent meeting this week.

“Since then, we have heard from bus operators that there was an 18-month notice period in England compared with the inadequate notice here, and a smaller cut to the bus service operators grant. Therefore, when the Minister has consulted with bus service operators, can you commit to a Statement being made so that we can be aware of facts and progress in this direction?”

The Minister for Finance and Leader of the House, Jane Hutt, told Mr Isherwood that the Transport Minister has started the consultation with bus operators and will report to the Assembly on the outcome.

ENDS