Transport for Wales is a not-for-profit organisation owned entirely by the Welsh government and the recent publication of its five-year Corporate Strategy has revealed its programme to transform rail, bus and active travel routes.
2021 saw the Welsh Government release Llwybr Newydd: The Wales Transport Strategy 2021 which underlined the vital role of public transport in supporting its achievement of net zero by 2050. The latest five-year strategy by Transport for Wales supports how this will be done.
Below is a brief overview of some of the impressive actions that the publication aims to achieve:
The strategy states that a key focus will be the climate emergency and prioritising decarbonisation and will see the following actions taken to support this:
- Electrification of the Core Valley Lines will power it in a sustainable manner and will work towards the introduction of Metro in South Wales.
- Support for the Welsh Government as it designs Wales’ future bus network
- Increased investment to promote both walking and cycling, and will also see the development of new Active Travel Integrated Network Maps
- Collaborations with partners in order to decarbonise Wales’ bus fleets
- The provision of new travel information and ticketing technologies making travel more efficient and therefore easier
- The protections and improvement of resilient ecosystems and biodiversity.
Integration of transport is also a major priority in the five-year strategy and which will be achieved by:
- The integration of assets and creation of interchange facilities over differing transport networks including bus and rail.
- Coordinating routes and timetables to create an operational integration of services.
- Ticketing and information will also be integrated creating improved access for customers when planning a journey by using just one website and ticketing system.
Bringing connectivity to rural locations is also included within the plan and it aims to deliver the following:
- Direct transport interventions such as the improvement of bus connectivity alongside the creation of virtual stations and e-safe active travel routes.
- Transport-related interventions such as car clubs and e-bike schemes
- Technology-related interventions such as the improvement of digital connectivity
Transport for Wales’ five-year Corporate Strategy also aims to provide development of the network and system as well as both active travel and bus networks as part of the ambitious strategy.
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said:
“At TfW we’re working to improve public transport and we need fewer people travelling by car and more taking public transport, wheeling, walking or cycling. We’re investing in rail, bus and active travel and focusing on creating a more joined-up network across all modes of travel.
“We know that there are some challenges ahead as we face a period of financial uncertainty and the rising cost of living. The war in Ukraine has put pressure on the cost of materials and we’re still recovering from a global pandemic.
“However, we’ve remained committed to our goals and this new strategy provides a clear outline about how we’ll achieve them. With brand-new trains and new electric buses entering service at the start of 2023, we’re continuing to move forward with our transformational plans.”
To see Transport for Wales’ Corporate strategy for 2021 to 2026 please visit: https://tfw.wales/about-us/transparency/publications/corporate-strategy/2021-26
To read CEO James Prices’s latest update please visit: https://tfw.wales/about-us/transparency/publications/corporate-strategy/2021-26
Responses
It’s all a waste of time until strike settled. If it goes on through 2023, there will be no raiways left to have a corporate strategy for.