The Welsh Government has revealed proposals to transform the way local bus services are planned and delivered across Wales - but Mid Wales will be last region where changes are implemented.

The Bus Services (Wales) Bill, unveiled by the Welsh Government on March 31, aims to overhaul the country's bus services with a centrally coordinated network.

While the Bill promises significant benefits for the Welsh public - such as a unified network, timetable, and ticketing system - concerns remain that rural communities in Mid Wales will face long delays before seeing meaningful improvements.

The Bill lays out a phased implementation plan, with the first changes set to take effect in South West Wales in 2027, followed by North Wales in 2028 and South East Wales in 2029. Mid Wales will be last in line, with changes planned to begin in 2030.

James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, said action was needed, rather than words.

“The Welsh Government has been talking about our bus network, promising improvements since 2021,” he said.

“Today’s announcement is yet another soundbite and gives my constituents nothing tangible, with admissions that the first rollout in South West Wales will not be until 2027."

Mr Evans pointed to the urgent need for investment in Mid Wales, where many residents rely on buses for access to work, education, and essential services. He warned that without financial support, struggling rural routes will continue to decline, worsening isolation for communities. Many communities have no bus service at all.

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said it was a “historic day” for public transport in Wales.

“This is about putting people first by providing one network, one timetable, and one ticket across Wales,” said Mr Skates.

“I want to see a bus network which puts people and communities first, with reliable, affordable and easy-to-use services; joined-up services which link with other forms of transport such as trains and active travel.”

The Welsh Government says that ticket revenue will be reinvested across the whole of Wales.

Mr Skates added: “I don’t underestimate the scale of change the proposals in this Bill will deliver, and for that reason it will be rolled out region by region. But the change will be transformational.”

However, Mr Evans remains skeptical about the ability of the Welsh Government to deliver meaningful change in the interim. He questioned the feasibility of the Bill’s proposal to lift the ban on public authorities creating their own bus companies, suggesting that local authorities like Powys County Council may struggle to secure the funding, expertise, and capacity to operate routes that have already been deemed unviable by commercial providers.

He also pointed out that the Welsh Government has allocated around £1 billion for the South Wales Metro, but Mid Wales has yet to see similar investment for its rural bus routes.

"We need to see improvements, investment, and expansion of our bus services in Mid Wales - not more words and no action for at least two more years," said Mr Evans.