Clwyd West MS and Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar, has called for a Welsh Government statement on whether Transport for Wales represents value for money for Welsh taxpayers.

Speaking in yesterday’s Business Statement in the Senedd, Darren, challenged the Trefnydd Lesley Griffiths MS over money which has been spent by Transport for Wales without a proper business case and called for a statement on the matter.

He said:

“I call for a Statement on whether Transport for Wales represents value for money for Welsh taxpayers.

“We know that £125 million was recently awarded to Transport for Wales, in spite of there apparently being no business case for that ever having been published and it not having been in the Welsh Government's budget last year.

“It's also been brought to my attention by a constituent that Transport for Wales recently spent £5,500 wrapping a train in a 'Made in Wales' advertising vinyl skin. Now, clearly, that is unnecessary discretionary expenditure at taxpayers' expense, and I wonder what else is going on that's being wastefully spent by Transport for Wales from the taxpayers’ pocket.

“So, I would appreciate a statement from the Minister on Transport for Wales, on why these significant sums are being given to that organisation when it seems to be able to spend frivolously on that sort of advertising.”

In her response, the Minister refused Darren’s request for a statement.

Speaking after the meeting, Darren said:

“It is very disappointing that the Minister turned down my request for a statement from the Transport Minister on this. I know a great many of my constituents, like me, would have liked some clarity on this matter. Once again Welsh taxpayers are being left in the dark as to exactly what their money is being spent on!”