The Welsh county wants to improve access to services and encourage more sustainable travel modes.
The Powys bus network will be transformed if plans get full approval at a council meeting next month. Among other thanks. £1.5million in funding will need to be green lit, alongside an annual budget increase of £2.35illion.
The Sustainable Powys programme, five core towns will act as focal points for routes, including Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod, Brecon and Ystradgynlais. Details about provision will be shared later this year.
‘The upgraded public transport network in Powys aims to provide more reliable and frequent services in rural areas with better connections between towns and key services,’ said Cllr Jackie Charlton. ‘If the additional funding requirements are approved by full council early next month, the new seven-year contracts will be awarded to a range of local and regional transport operators who will begin delivering enhanced services with greater connectivity from September 2025. ‘There were only two options, and that limits us in making recommendations and we must understand there are significant budget pressures to both of them.’
Parliament is currently considering a new Bus Services Bill as part of Labour’s Plan for Change. If it becomes an act, it will help rebalance access to public transport which was decimated by successive Conservative leaders. It is believed around 300million miles of bus routes outside London were lost due to cutbacks between 2010 and 2024. Under revised rules, councils will have power to identify critical services and force operators to continue to deliver them.
Image: Ant Rozetsky / Unsplash
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