English: I'd be more than happy to meet with the local authorities. In fact, the example that David Rees has highlighted today shows the potential benefits of creating joint transport authorities on a regional basis so that local authorities can plan and deliver bus services together in a collaborative way. I think David also highlights a fundamental flaw in current arrangements, which is that neither the Welsh Government nor local authorities have the powers to require a bus company to run a particular service. That's achieved through local authority contracts, including a public subsidy. Now, we've been able to maintain the bus services support grant at £25 million for some time, and this money is used to supplement - I should stress 'supplement' - local authority budgets for this purpose. It does not exist to replace local authority budgets, and I do think that it's essential that local authorities continue to demonstrate their commitment to local connectivity by maintaining their own budgets for subsidising bus and community transport services. But this fundamental flaw in the system cannot and will be addressed in a sustainable way by having local government and Welsh Government continue to subsidise non-commercial routes. What we need is radical reform, and I've recently outlined, through the White Paper, the proposals that the Welsh Government has for addressing the dire consequences of deregulation and the decisions made in the mid 1980s for bus services. Through the reforms that we are proposing, I seek to ensure that bus services across the length and breadth of Wales serve the needs of passengers and citizens, rather than serve the desire of some to profit from this incredibly valuable and necessary service for many of our communities. And, Llywydd, I would encourage all Members to take a keen interest in the White Paper and to submit observations and views before the consultation ends in mid March.
Welsh: Buaswn yn fwy na pharod i gyfarfod â'r awdurdodau lleol. Yn wir, dengys yr enghraifft y mae David Rees wedi tynnu sylw ati heddiw beth yw manteision posibl creu cyd-awdurdodau trafnidiaeth ar sail ranbarthol fel y gall awdurdodau lleol gynllunio a darparu gwasanaethau bws gyda'i gilydd mewn ffordd gydweithredol. Credaf fod David hefyd yn tynnu sylw at wendid sylfaenol yn y trefniadau presennol, sef nad oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru nac awdurdodau lleol bwerau i fynnu bod cwmni bysiau'n gweithredu gwasanaeth penodol. Cyflawnir hyn drwy gontractau awdurdodau lleol, gan gynnwys cymhorthdal cyhoeddus. Nawr, rydym wedi gallu cynnal y grant cynnal gwasanaethau bysiau ar £25 miliwn ers peth amser, a defnyddir yr arian hwn i ategu'r - dylwn bwysleisio 'ategu' - cyllidebau awdurdodau lleol at y diben hwn. Nid yw'n bodoli yn lle cyllidebau awdurdodau lleol, a chredaf ei bod hi'n hanfodol fod awdurdodau lleol yn parhau i ddangos eu hymrwymiad i gysylltedd lleol drwy gynnal eu cyllidebau eu hunain ar gyfer rhoi cymhorthdal i wasanaethau bws a chludiant cymunedol. Ond ni all y gwendid sylfaenol hwn yn y system barhau ac eir i'r afael ag ef mewn modd cynaliadwy drwy gael llywodraeth leol a Llywodraeth Cymru i barhau i roi cymhorthdal i lwybrau anfasnachol. Mae angen diwygio radical, ac yn ddiweddar, drwy'r Papur Gwyn, fe amlinellais y cynigion sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â chanlyniadau enbyd dadreoleiddio a'r penderfyniadau a wnaed yng nghanol y 1980au ar gyfer gwasanaethau bws. Drwy'r diwygiadau a gynigiwn, rwyf am sicrhau bod gwasanaethau bws ar hyd a lled Cymru yn gwasanaethu anghenion teithwyr a dinasyddion, yn hytrach na gwasanaethu awydd rhai i elwa o'r gwasanaeth anhygoel o werthfawr ac angenrheidiol hwn i lawer o'n cymunedau. A buaswn yn annog pob Aelod, Lywydd, i ddangos diddordeb brwd yn y Papur Gwyn ac i gyflwyno sylwadau a safbwyntiau cyn y daw'r ymgynghoriad i ben yng nghanol mis Mawrth.