The Welsh Government has included an additional £6 million in revenue support and £10 million in capital funding for buses in its final published Budget for 2026/27, following concerns raised by Bus Users UK and a number of leading passenger and transport bodies.

In its draft Budget published at the end of 2025, Welsh Government was proposing only a 2% increase in bus funding, prompting a joint letter to Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates MS. In their letter, the group highlighted the potential impact of such a minimal increase in funding on essential services, during the critical transition to a franchised system. With funding pressures already acute, the group argued that communities across Wales were at risk of seeing vital services reduced or cut altogether.

These concerns were reinforced in a meeting earlier this week between the signatories and the Cabinet Secretary, with the result that the final published Budget has seen an increase in both revenue support and capital funding.

Barclay Davies, Bus Users UK’s Director for Wales, believes this investment will provide much-needed reassurance and help secure the existing bus network:

“The extra funding for bus services is great news for passengers. Following the draft Budget, there was a real possibility of cuts to the core bus network, with significant impacts on communities across Wales. This confirmation of additional funding will help secure the existing network, which is vital for passengers as we move towards a franchised system of services.

“Buses are the workhorse of the public transport network, accounting for 75% of all public transport journeys. They reach places other forms of transport cannot and provide accessible, affordable travel to work, education, shopping and healthcare. Continued investment in buses is essential if we are serious about inclusive, sustainable transport.”

(Picture: Welsh Government)