Rosemary Butler has been pressing for a day of free bus transport in Wales to mark "In Town Without My Car Day" on September 22nd.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said

at Question Time on February 20th that the Assembly Government couldn't make that particular offer, but backed the general move to persuade travellers to use buses.

Rosemary Butler: Will the Minister consider extending free bus transport in Wales to all age groups for one day on In Town, Without My Car! Day this September?

The Deputy First Minister: I fully support this initiative that concludes European Mobility Week, and I have already made £6,000 available to the campaign. I will be writing to the regional transport consortia and others to encourage their support.

Rosemary Butler: I hope that Members will all set an example on that day in September, and will cycle, walk or use public transport to come to work. Newport has a good local transport service, and Newport Transport recently introduced a new express bus to Cardiff, which has been successful. Free bus travel on no-car day would be an excellent way to show car users that there are alternatives to their private cars. I was hoping that you would be a real trailblazer, and be the first UK Minister for transport to say, 'Yes, we will give free transport on that day’.

The Deputy First Minister: There are several initiatives taking place on that day. I hope that all Members will put it in their diary and bear it in mind—I think that it is 22 September. Bus operators have previously offered free travel, or reduced fares, during European Mobility Week, and I urge them to do so again. I am not in a position to make that offer on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, but we are fully committed to the scheme, bearing in mind that we have already given our support financially.

Wednesday, February 20th