Economically and financially 2024 will be another challenging year for Welsh Government and its transport body Transport for Wales. This is particularly so as there appears to be a dichotomy in the Welsh Government’s transport objective to reduce car use and increased travel by bus and train.

In 2023, as bus company costs increased – from fuel, wages, investment and the 20mph speed limit -the Bus Transition Fund was withdrawn by the Welsh Government. It, and its predecessors, had helped bus operators to recover financially from continued low passenger numbers post Covid.

Then, in the draft budget last month the Climate Change department’s expenditure for 2024-25 was cut by 4.79%. Most of this is for transport so putting in jeopardy the government’s 2022 White Paper one network, One timetable, one ticket plan to integrate all bus and rail services in Wales already facing financial issues. This would make bus and rail travel easier and more convenient and is intended to attract car users to public transport and active travel. The issue to be faced in 2024 is how to achieve those objectives.

The new electric powered buses in Cardiff, Newport and on the TrawsCymru T1 service in west Wales will contribute.

On the 20mph speed limit research is clear – there is less chance of being killed or seriously injured through contact with a motor vehicle travelling at 20mph than one travelling at 30mph. However, it continues to be controversial for two reasons.

Firstly, it was not evaluated using Welsh Government’s own criteria which examines a wide range of strategic, economic and financially related factors and not only road safety elements in determining a large £37m expenditure. Thus its priority position has been questioned.

Secondly, the implementation process turned public opinion against the scheme from 52% against (August government survey) to 70% (November ITV survey). The public were not brought along. Ineffective government publicity had the conservative London media referring to the ‘default’ definition as a ‘blanket imposition’ and to frequent changes in the speed limit. Ministers now have to put this right in 2024 if any benefits are to be achieved.

The railway investment programme continues apace with new diesel trains being introduced over Wales’ rail network. Electrification of Valley Lines north of Cardiff is well advance although costs have increased from £800m to £1.1bn.