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Question 1 –
how would you
describe the current condition of the bus and community transport
sectors in Wales?
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Mixed.
Buses with disabled access really good.
Those entitled to bus pass love them.
Older buses can be hard to get on.
Not many buses to some places and nothing after 7p.m.
Some felt buses were reliable and on time but others have had buses
not on time or not turn up.
Can be very isolated in Abergavenny trying to get to other
places.
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Question 2 –
why do you think
the number of bus services and the number of bus passengers is
declining in Wales?
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People have cars and fares have gone up which puts off people
without bus passes.
Less buses mean there might not be a bus when you need one. If
you’re going to Monmouth and buses are every two hours and
you miss one you’ve had it!
A bad experience can put you off.
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Question 3 –
what do you think is the social, economic and environmental impact
of recent changes in bus and community transport service
levels?
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Huge! Especially for those living in villages and for the
disabled.
How can you get a job if you can’t get to where the work
is?
Not having buses can stop us having a social life and seeing our
friends – All Wales peole First have transport as part of
their manifesto.
Bus passes do give us loads of freedom though.
Bus passes can make you feel independent.
Some people with learning disabilities are experts on bus
timetables and love using buses – it gives them a chance to
get out.
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Question 4 –
what do you think
the Welsh Government should do to support bus and community
transport in Wales?
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Improve disabled access.
Carry on with buspasses.
Look at cost of fares.
Encourage community transport like “dial a ride”
schemes – “Grassroots” transport does a good job
but is too inflexible and people can’t use it when they need
it.
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Question 5
– what do you think Welsh local authorities should do to
support bus and community transport services?
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Same as above. It is hard to know who should have responsibility
but that is what is needed.
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Question 6
– what do you think about proposals to devolve bus
registration powers to Wales? How should these be used?
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Good idea but don’t know enough about it to say much. Can
they make sure that there are good buses with disabled
access?
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Question 7
– please tell us whether you think further powers to regulate
the bus industry in Wales are required and why?
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Don’t know enough to answer
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Question 8
– what other
action can be taken to ensure that bus and community transport
services meet the needs of people in Wales?
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Joined up thinking. Hospital transport would not allow a companion
to accompany person with disabilities although the person had a
companion bus pass!
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Please tell us anything
else you would like to mention this topic, thank you for
contributing to our inquiry.
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Buses are terribly important to people with learning disabilities.
People in the group really value their bus passes.
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