Much respect to the Welsh Govt for showing the rest of the UK how to move towards an integrated and sustainable transport system.

It's not just that they're bringing rail into public ownership - they've also been making bold moves to bring buses under public control... [THREAD]

In March, the Welsh govt proposed new legislation to give councils more powers over bus services, including setting up their own municipal bus companies. Unfortunately, the process of passing the Bus Services (Wales) Bill was interrupted by covid.

In July, the Welsh Govt established the Bus Emergency Scheme, which put conditions on bus company bailouts, eg preventing them from increasing commercial fares. They say it's the basis of a new funding scheme to get greater public control over buses: https://gov.wales/bus-emergency-scheme-secure-future-industry

An integrated and well-funded transport system is key to economic recovery, and the Welsh Govt knows it. Big contrast with English transport policy, where @transportgovuk prefers to bail out private companies, while keeping devolved authorities in a stranglehold.