Bus Users UK has carried out a review of Welsh political party manifestos for bus and coach services ahead of the Senedd elections on Thursday 7 May, elections widely seen as the most significant since devolution.
With major structural changes to the Senedd, including a reduction in constituencies from 40 to 16 and an increase in Members from 60 to 96, the stakes are high. The analysis by Bus Users UK highlights both encouraging consensus and critical gaps in how parties plan to shape the future of bus travel across Wales.
Affordability and access: Across the political spectrum, there is clear recognition of the importance of affordable public transport. Proposals range from fare caps to free travel for younger passengers, reflecting a shared response to cost-of-living pressures and the need to make buses accessible to all.
Expanding and improving services: Most parties outline ambitions to expand routes, improve reliability, and address gaps in provision, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This signals a growing awareness that current service levels are not meeting public need.
Joined-up transport: Integration is another key theme, with several parties proposing better coordination between buses and other modes such as rail. Unified ticketing, timetabling and improved interchanges are seen as essential to creating a seamless travel experience.
Modernisation and investment: Plans to upgrade vehicles, infrastructure and passenger facilities feature prominently. Improving safety, comfort and reliability is widely recognised as central to increasing public confidence in bus travel.
Targeting rural areas: The unique transport challenges facing rural communities are acknowledged across multiple manifestos, with commitments to strengthen connectivity and ensure equitable access to services.
Long-term reform: Following the passage of the Buses Act (Wales), there is growing emphasis on long-term, structural reform. Some parties have outlined more strategic approaches aimed at transforming how bus services are planned and delivered.
While welcoming the alignment between many manifesto commitments and its own priorities, Bus Users UK is calling on the next Welsh Government to go further.
In his full analysis, Barclay Davies, Bus Users UK Director for Wales said: “Whoever forms the next government has a real opportunity to deliver a step-change in bus services. Passengers want a network that is affordable, reliable and designed around their needs. The foundations are there but ambition and delivery will be key.”
Bus Users UK has set out its Top 7 Priorities for the Next Welsh Government, urging a comprehensive approach that moves beyond short-term fixes to deliver lasting improvements for communities across Wales.
Buses manifesto review for Wales Senedd elections 2026
The elections taking place in Wales on Thursday 7 May are arguably the most important since devolution. With a major change in constituencies reducing from the present 40 to 16, and an increase in the number of elected members from 60 to 96, Barclay Davies examines what the respective parties are saying about their commitment to bus and coach.
Welsh Conservatives
- Build resilience in the bus network including in rural areas
- Protect free bus travel and extend it to 16 to 24-year-olds and veterans.
Welsh Green Party
- Transform £1 single fares to free travel for under 22s
- £1 capped bus fares for adults aged 22-59
- Deliver a unified bus service across Wales with a single timetable and ticketing system, expand routes, improve connections across towns and cities
- Improve evening/weekend services and increase provisions in rural/poorly-served areas
- New express bus routes/cross valleys services
- Better integration with rail, coordinated timetables, improved interchange facilities
- National strategy for long-distance coach including identifying locations for modern coach stations linking bus and rail.
Welsh Labour Party
- £2 cap on adult fares
- 100 new bus routes/unprecedented increase in Welsh bus services
- £1 fare for under 25s
- Retain free travel for over 60s
- Renew/replace ageing buses/stations/shelters and improve safety for passengers
- Work to attract a more diverse workforce.
Welsh Liberal Democrats
- Extend existing youth bus fare cap of £1 single and £3 all day to all under 25s.
Plaid Cymru
- Maintain capped £1 single and £3 day tickets for under 21s
- Continue free fares for over 60s
- Protect SME’s in franchising
- Introduce an express bus from Bangor to Carmarthen, reducing journey time by 90 minutes
- Introduce bus priority measures
- Better bus stops
- Design routes to serve shopping and health
- Involve communities in route planning
- Expand tap on/tap off, PAYG across bus and rail
- Maximise benefits of bus reform.
Reform
- No mention of bus in the published manifesto.
What are the main themes that we can draw from these various manifesto commitments?
- Lower, capped or free fares
This is the strongest and most consistent theme. There is broad political interest in making bus travel more affordable, recognising the ongoing cost-of-living crisis especially for younger and older passengers.
- Expanding and improving bus services
Most parties emphasise increasing the availability and reliability of services. There is a shared recognition that current service levels are insufficient, particularly in rural and poorly-served areas.
- Integration and coordination across transport modes
Several parties highlight the need for a more joined-up transport system. There is cross‑party understanding that buses cannot operate in isolation. Integration is seen as key to increasing usage and convenience.
- Modernisation of infrastructure and vehicles
Multiple parties mention upgrading the physical and operational environment. There is a shared view that the bus network needs modernisation to improve reliability, comfort and safety.
- Support for rural and underserved communities
This appears repeatedly across manifestos. There is broad political acknowledgement that rural Wales faces particular transport challenges.
- Strategic, long term planning
A few parties emphasise structural or strategic reforms. Following the passage of the Buses Act (Wales), there is interest in long-term, systemic change not just short-term fixes.
Priorities for the next Welsh Government
It is reassuring that many manifesto commitments align with our priorities. Whoever forms the next Welsh Government, however, needs to go further and seize the opportunity to transform bus services so that they meet the aspirations and needs of bus users in Wales.