Motions and Amendments for Debate on 12 March 2014

Motions tabled on 5 March 2014

Short Debate

NDM5447 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Build it and they will come?

The case for the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway.

NDM5448 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the importance of bus services to the people of Wales.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure stability for the bus industry and passengers.

3. Further calls on the Welsh Government to protect bus services in Wales.

NDM5449 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that the Welsh language is an economic driver and that its long term continuation as a community language depends on strong local and regional economic growth.

2. Recognises that expenditure by the Welsh Government and public bodies can have a real impact on the language.

3. Believes that the Welsh Government and its partners should develop area-based economic policies to support the language and maximise its economic benefit.

NDM5450 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that safe and affordable public transport is key to enabling young people to access work, education, training and apprenticeships.

2. Regrets that the affordability of public transport acts as a significant barrier for part-time workers and to the post-16 choices of young people.

3. Welcomes the steps taken by some local authorities in Wales to introduce a concessionary fare scheme for young people but regrets that significant variability in concessions leads to a postcode lottery of affordable transport for young travellers.

4. Recognises the achievements of community transport schemes including Bwcabus and Grass Routes in providing accessible and flexible transport for local communities.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with bus operators to introduce a national concessionary fare scheme for young people through a new ‘young travellers’ rate for 16-18 year olds and students;

b) examine the feasibility of a season ticket for part-time workers;

c) explore the potential for extending community transport schemes such as Bwcabus and Grass Routes in rural areas; and

d) examine ways to develop a low carbon network of public transport in Wales.

Amendments tabled on 6 March 2014

To propose that the Assembly resolves to adopt the following amendments to motions:

NDM5448

1. Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

Welcomes the recommendation of the Commission on Devolution in Wales to devolve regulatory power over buses to the Welsh Government.

2. Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

Recognises the need for a dedicated Traffic Commissioner for Wales.

Amendments tabled on 7 March 2014

To propose that the Assembly resolves to adopt the following amendments to motions:

NDM5448

1. Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

In point 3, after ‘Welsh Government’ insert ‘to work with the bus industry and other partners’

NDM5449

1. Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to include an assessment of the impact of its policies on the Welsh language within its Equality Impact Assessment Guidance.

NDM5450

1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Welcomes the fact that bus operators are actively pursuing concessionary fare schemes for young people and students.