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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| North-south air link is underperforming warn AMs | North-south air link is underperforming warn AMs |
| (about 2 hours 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, running since 2007 and currently operated by Citywing and Links Air, gets a £1.2m annual subsidy. | 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. |
| Liberal Democrats said the "wasteful, polluting" subsidy should be scrapped. | Liberal Democrats said the "wasteful, polluting" subsidy should be scrapped. |
| Flights currently run twice a day on weekdays, with none on weekends. | Flights currently run twice a day on weekdays, with none on weekends. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Yearly passenger numbers (May - April) | |
| 2007/08: 14,133 | |
| 2008/09: 14,718 | |
| 2009/10: 9,491 | |
| 2010/11: 8,719 | |
| 2011/12: 9,606 | |
| 2012/13: 8,406 | |
| Max number of seats available per year: 18,720 | |
| Source: Wales Audit Office evidence to the committee | |
| AMs say it should be marketed more effectively and 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. |
| 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." |
| 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". | 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. | "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." | "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. |