Turning Evidence into Action: Shaping Rural Transport Equality in Wales

Over the past four months, Wyndham Williams and Jo Hicks from the PACTO Transformation Project team have been playing a key role in a national research project focused on improving transport equality across rural Wales.

The project, titled ‘Socially Necessary Transport and Rural Equalities Mobilities’, is led by Cardiff University and Aberystwyth University as part of the Cymru Wledig Local Policy and Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Rural Wales programme. It brings together Community Transport (CT) operators, equality organisations, third sector partners and public bodies to explore how transport systems can better meet the needs of rural communities.

From Evidence to Vision

Over a series of panel sessions, partners have worked collaboratively to develop a set of Rural Transport Equality Visions that will help inform the future of transport policy in Wales.

At the outset, the panel identified 14 initial visions, many of which overlapped in theme and intent. Through structured discussion, evaluation and refinement, these were reduced to nine core areas.

Following further review, these have now been consolidated into five clear and cohesive visions, providing a stronger and more focused framework to support the development of the Welsh Bus Bill.

These visions are designed to ensure that future transport systems are:

• Inclusive and accessible
• Responsive to rural needs
• Grounded in real-world experience
• Aligned with equality and wellbeing outcomes

PACTO’s role in the project

PACTO has been represented on the core panel, contributing insight and evidence from across Pembrokeshire.

Through its Motability Foundation–funded Community Transport Transformation Project, PACTO has been able to bring forward:

• Extensive public consultation and passenger feedback
• Robust data and evidence on rural transport need
• Practical insight from service delivery, system change and innovation
• A clear understanding of the barriers and inequalities faced by rural communities

This has ensured that the work is not only academically robust, but also firmly grounded in lived experience and operational reality.

Strengthening the Evidence Base

Over the past month, the project has also engaged a wider group of CT operators, third sector organisations and public sector partners to test and refine the emerging visions.

This collaborative approach has helped to ensure that the final outputs:

• Reflect a broad range of sector perspectives
• Capture local and regional challenges
• Provide practical and achievable solutions

The insights gathered through PACTO’s Transformation Project have added significant value, offering proven evidence of what works, what doesn’t, and where change is needed.

Supporting the Welsh Bus Bill

The final set of visions will form part of the ‘Socially Necessary Rural Transport Equality’ report being developed for Welsh Government, helping to inform the implementation of the forthcoming Welsh Bus Bill.

This is a critical opportunity to ensure that rural transport policy:

• Recognises the unique challenges of rural geography
• Addresses inequalities linked to disability, age, income and access
• Embeds Community Transport as a core part of the transport system
• Delivers meaningful, long-term change for communities

Looking Ahead

For PACTO, this work represents an important step in ensuring that rural voices are heard at a national level, and that future transport systems are designed with people, communities and equality at their heart.

By turning evidence into action, the project is helping to shape a more inclusive, connected and sustainable future for transport in Wales.

Wyndham Williams, Transformation Project Manager, said: “We have a unique opportunity to influence how transport is designed and delivered across rural Wales.

“By combining evidence, lived experience and partnership working, we can ensure that future policy through the Welsh Bus Bill delivers a transport system that is equitable, inclusive and fit for rural communities.

“Through our Transformation Project funded by the Motability Foundation, we’ve been able to bring forward the voices, challenges and lived realities of rural communities in Pembrokeshire.”