This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-28419595

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
North-south air link is 'underperforming', warn AMs North-south air link is underperforming warn AMs
(about 1 hour later)
A subsidised air service between Cardiff and Anglesey is "underperforming", a cross-party group of assembly members has warned. A subsidised air service between Cardiff and Anglesey is underperforming, a cross-party group of assembly members has warned.
The flights have been running since 2007 and are currently operated by Citywing and Links Air. The flights, running since 2007 and currently operated by Citywing and Links Air, gets a £1.2m annual subsidy.
The current contract ends in December and the assembly's Public Accounts Committee said several improvements are needed for the service to continue.The current contract ends in December and the assembly's Public Accounts Committee said several improvements are needed for the service to continue.
The Welsh government spends £1.2m each year subsidising the service. Liberal Democrats said the "wasteful, polluting" subsidy should be scrapped.
Flights currently run twice a day on weekdays, with none running on weekends. Flights currently run twice a day on weekdays, with none on weekends.
The service carried just over 65,000 passengers between May 2007 and April 2013, at an estimated cost to the taxpayer of £9m. The committee heard that the service carried just over 65,000 passengers between May 2007 and April 2013, at an estimated cost to the taxpayer of £9m.
Passenger rates have now fallen by 43% since their peak in 2008-09.Passenger rates have now fallen by 43% since their peak in 2008-09.
'Discrepancies''Discrepancies'
In order to get more people flying the route it needed to be marketed better said the committee, who also suggested promoting connecting bus services and the opportunities to get connecting flights. AMs say it should be marketed more effectively and suggested promoting connecting bus services and the opportunities to get connecting flights.
They said there were "discrepancies" over passenger figures, and that independent analysis of them was needed in order to work out who currently uses the route and whether fares were taxpayer funded.
Committee chair Darren Millar said: "The committee remains concerned that this service is underperforming when it comes to providing value for money for the Welsh taxpayer.Committee chair Darren Millar said: "The committee remains concerned that this service is underperforming when it comes to providing value for money for the Welsh taxpayer.
"The lack of reliable, independent data about passenger numbers, including the types of people using the service must be addressed. "The lack of reliable, independent data about passenger numbers, including the types of people using the service must be addressed."
"The committee also believes that, if the service is to continue with public funding support, a strong marketing campaign should be part of any contract awarded." North Wales Liberal Democrat AM Aled Roberts, a member of the committee, said his party would "scrap" what he called a "wasteful and polluting subsidy".
"This costly venture does little to address the real problems of public transport links between north and south," he added.
"Rail links are far more important for my region than this service. Any public money should be spent on improving rail links between the north and Cardiff."
Welsh ministers have been asked to respond to the report.Welsh ministers have been asked to respond to the report.