Public transport in Cardiff has been under scrutiny with critics calling it “embarrassing” and “not fit for purpose”, according to a report by Wales Online. The Liberal Democrats group at Cardiff Council raised concerns about the current state of bus services, highlighting issues such as the lack of direct services covering significant parts of the city. They argued that despite the construction of the Cardiff Bus Station in 2024, passengers still face difficulties in reaching various areas of the city without having to change buses.
During a recent council meeting, Cllr Jon Shimmin from the Liberal Democrats expressed that relying on two buses to travel from one end of the city to the other is not a viable option for many passengers. The councillors also noted that some communities, especially the elderly, have been left without access to any bus services at all. Conservative councillors, including Cllr Joel Williams, echoed these concerns, labelling the state of bus services in Cardiff as “embarrassing” and highlighting the financial challenges faced by residents in using public transport.
The council has been considering the introduction of a road user charge to encourage alternative modes of transport. However, details of the proposed scheme are still pending, causing uncertainty among residents. Cllr Williams criticised the council’s approach, stating that expecting people to use non-existent public transport services is unrealistic. In response to these criticisms, the Liberal Democrats’ motion called on the council to push for an accelerated roll-out of a franchised model of bus service provision in South East Wales, a move supported by many councillors.
Cllr Dan De’Ath, the council’s cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning, and transport, acknowledged the challenges faced by bus companies in recent years, exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite ongoing efforts to improve bus services, including the introduction of bus priority measures such as new bus lanes and changes to junctions, councillors and residents alike feel that more needs to be done to address the shortcomings of the current public transport system in Cardiff.
The complexity of the situation was further highlighted by Labour councillor Cllr Garry Hunt, who acknowledged the difficult decade experienced by bus companies and the need for marked improvement. The council’s efforts to enhance public transport services were recognised in an amended motion proposed by Labour councillors, emphasising the importance of municipal bus companies in the bidding process for franchised contracts.
While Cardiff Council is working towards improving bus services and transportation infrastructure, the urgency to address the current inadequacies in public transport provision remains a priority for councillors and residents alike. The motion passed by the council signals a collaborative effort to push for tangible changes that will benefit all members of the community who rely on public transport in Cardiff.
As discussions continue around the future of public transport in the city, the focus remains on finding solutions that are inclusive, efficient, and accessible for all residents. The calls for a re-think on the council’s transport strategy reflect a growing consensus among councillors and community members that significant improvements are needed to ensure a reliable and effective public transport system in Cardiff.