Bus Users UK has set out its vision for a connected, accessible and passenger-led bus network in its 2026 Manifesto for Wales.

The charity, which campaigns for inclusive, accessible transport, says the transition to franchising presents a unique opportunity to reshape bus services across the country, helping to reduce inequality, strengthen communities and support environmental goals.

It is calling on Welsh Government to create a system that is reliable, fair and built around the needs of the people who use it.

The Manifesto sets out seven priorities to deliver a more inclusive, accountable and sustainable bus network:

  1. Protect essential services – ensuring franchising safeguards and expands socially necessary routes, with decisions shaped by communities rather than cost alone
  2. Deliver long-term funding - providing stable, ring-fenced investment so access to transport is equitable and reliable for all
  3. Prioritise sustainable travel - investing in zero-emission fleets and bus priority measures to reduce congestion, improve air quality and make buses the transport of choice
  4. Make bus travel fully accessible - embedding universal accessibility standards across vehicles, infrastructure and information, removing barriers for all passengers
  5. Simplify fares and travel - creating a fair, consistent national fare structure with integrated ticketing and capped pricing, making journeys more affordable and seamless across modes
  6. Strengthening passenger rights and accountability - introducing clear standards, transparent performance information and a statutory Passenger Charter to protect users
  7. Deliver passenger-first franchising - creating a coherent, integrated network with clear standards for reliability, accessibility and the passenger experience

Barclay Davies, Bus Users UK Director for Wales, wants to see passengers and communities at the centre of transport policy: “Buses are an essential public service, particularly in rural and coastal areas where they provide vital links to work, education, healthcare and social connection.

“We urge Welsh Government to ensure that franchising delivers a network that is transparent, accountable and shaped by the people who rely on it. This is an opportunity to create a bus system that works for every community, while supporting economic growth and a more sustainable future for all.”