Ken Skates, Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, has announced that £300,000 will be spent to help local authorities to restore key local bus services lost following the recent demise of GHA Coaches.
The grant, made available to Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham Councils with immediate effect, will allow services lost to be re-introduced and to build resilience in the services already provided.
He said: “I’m delighted to announce this funding for the local authorities most affected by the liquidation of GHA Coaches. I expect to see it used to improve services and choice for the passenger, re-introducing key routes lost and providing network stability.
“I’ve been clear, however, that we must look at the long term future of bus travel and how local authorities, bus operators, passenger groups, Welsh Government and others can better work together to ensure services are maintained and improved.
“The Bus Services Summit I will lead in in Wrexham on 23 January, the North Wales bus co-ordinator post we have created and the added support I have announced through Business Wales and Finance Wales will all help in this regard.
“As for this funding, I’ve made it clear to councils that it has been provided on the basis that the they develop and submit a robust strategy for future bus services in North Wales by March. It’s in everyone’s interests to ensure that a situation like that seen with GHA coaches does not happen again and I’m determined that our bus services are made more sustainable."