Written Statement - Establishment of Public Transport Users’ Advisory Panel  

I wish to update members on progress in relation to the establishment of the Public Transport Users’ Advisory Panel.

On 20 November I informed members of the outcome of an external review of the Public Transport Users’ Committee for Wales (PTUC), which had been undertaken over the summer of 2013.  I had taken the decision to progress with the disbanding of the PTUC and to create a broader Public Transport Users’ Advisory Panel.

I am pleased that representatives from Bus Users Cymru, Citizens Advice Cymru, Community Transport Association Cymru, Confederation of Passenger Transport, Disability Wales, Passenger Focus and the Rail Delivery Group have agreed to sit on the Panel. Drawing together these key organisations already working in the field of consumer and transport matters will provide me with advice that will ensure that public transport users’ views inform my policy and policy programme development and implementation.

My new Panel will be led by a publicly appointed Chair, who will take on a broader role, with external policy support, to provide a focal point for public transport user matters and direct input into my policy development.  

Work is underway to put in place the arrangements for the appointment of the Chair and securing external capacity to support its work.    

I will provide a further update when the Chair is appointed.