Report questions 'value for money' of Welsh Government's discounted bus travel for young people

A new report has called into question the "value for money" of the Welsh Government's discount bus travel scheme for young people.

The Auditor General for Wales says "obvious questions" have been raised about £14.74 million spent on the 'My Travel Pass' scheme. The pass offers a third off the price of bus journeys for 16 to 18 year olds in Wales.

But the scheme cost the Welsh Government significantly less than was expected based on the first year and a half of operation.

But less than 10% of eligible young people applied for passes by March 2017.

The Welsh Government say the £14.74 million spent also helped to secure additional benefits, including helping to "stabilise the bus network".

Commenting on the report, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Nick Ramsay, said the report "highlights issues with the quality of the analysis and advice underpinning decisions about the scheme".

Estimates made by the Welsh Government assumed that 80% of 16 to 18 year olds (around 90,000 people) would take up passes and use them on average twice a week.

But less than 10% of eligible young people applied for passes by March 2017 – the end of the initial pilot phase.

Responding to the Auditor General, a Welsh Government spokesperson said they welcomed the report and "are keen to learn lessons from its findings".