THE MP for Llanelli, Dame Nia Griffith, has called on the DVLA to reconsider its decision to end all works bus service routes at its Swansea site from November 2023. These services currently allow many employees living in Llanelli and surrounding areas to travel to and from the Morriston offices each day. Dame Nia has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, urging him to intervene and asking the DVLA to engage in constructive talks with affected employees to improve and safeguard the services.
Many employees signed up to work at DVLA with the understanding that transport would be available, making the services of particular importance to them, especially as there are no direct buses to DVLA Swansea. The location of the DVLA on the outskirts of Swansea also makes the works buses necessary, as it is a complicated journey on public transport for many employees, especially those living in Llanelli and other similar areas of South West Wales.
The decentralisation of services such as the DVLA was meant to bring jobs to less favoured areas, including the travel-to-work areas such as Llanelli and the surrounding valleys, not just Swansea. Ending the bus services would jeopardise their ability to deliver on this principle.
In addition to safeguarding jobs, the bus services have additional benefits such as reducing congestion on roads, leading to lower carbon emissions. The current service costs staff only £2 per week, which many employees believe is unrealistically cheap, and they would be willing to pay more to keep the services running.
Dame Nia has asked the DVLA to reconsider the proposal urgently, rather than ending the service completely. She is willing to work with decision-makers and appropriate staff to discuss options that would allow this important service to continue for those who need it most.
