Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport & North Wales
Today I am pleased to launch a public consultation on the revised Learner Travel Operational Guidance.
The Learner Travel Operational Guidance is made under section 15 of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008, which enables Welsh Ministers to issue directions and statutory guidance. This guidance outlines the legal framework specifically related to travel and transport provisions for learners travelling to schools in Wales.
The previous version of this guidance was issued in 2014. Since then, there have been two reviews into Learner Travel in Wales, identifying several areas where amendments to the guidance were necessary. The majority of these amendments reflect changes to legislation and policy that have taken place since the guidance came into force or clarify requirements relating to legislation that was in place at that time.
Our main aims in revising this guidance are to ensure the guidance:
- aligns with and amplifies legislative developments that have taken place since the guidance was originally published in 2014,
- provides clarity on transport provision for learners with additional learning needs,
- strengthens guidance on Section 10 (promoting access to Welsh medium education) and Section 11 (promoting sustainable travel) of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure,
- reflects some of the good practice that has been identified across Wales to encourage collaboration and partnership working between delivery partners.
I would like to thank the Association of Transport Co-ordination Officers (ATCO Cymru) for their support in developing this updated guidance document to ensure that it is both pragmatic and purposeful.
This consultation represents a valuable opportunity for stakeholders, including parents, schools, transport operators, and the wider community, including children and young people, to contribute to the development of policies that ensure safe, efficient, and effective travel as set in the Learner Travel Measure (Wales) 2008.
We invite you to review the revised guidance document and share your insights and feedback.
The consultation will run from 11 June to 3 September 2025 and is available on the Welsh Government website. We look forward to your active participation and collaboration.