Updated:<\/strong> Fri 20th Jun <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t Plans to transform North Wales\u2019 public transport network aim to address the challenges faced by young people unable to reach employment due to poor connectivity.<\/p>\n Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, will outline details of the Welsh Government\u2019s Network North Wales proposals at a Wrexham Business Professionals meeting on Friday, 27 June.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Skates said many young people are \u201cbeing cut out of the jobs market\u201d because they cannot rely on public transport to reach work. The new strategy proposes an integrated, high-frequency bus and rail network linking people to employment hubs such as Wrexham Industrial Estate and Deeside Industrial Park.<\/p>\n One such example, highlighted by Moneypenny co-founder Rachel Clacher at a previous meeting, involved a young woman from Gwersyllt who endures a four-hour round trip to travel just eight miles to work.<\/p>\n Mr Skates said: \u201cNetwork North Wales is going to address that very concern. There are still a huge number of job offers that are being rejected by young people, by people of all ages in fact, because they can\u2019t get public transport to and from their workplace.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that new legislation will allow the redesign of bus services, working in partnership with Flintshire and Wrexham councils and Transport for Wales. These changes will be rolled out across the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone.<\/p>\n Plans include a 50% increase in rail services across North Wales from May 2026, including a doubling of services between Wrexham and Chester. Work is also due to start on making Wrexham to Liverpool a direct service, with a target of four trains per hour within the next decade.<\/p>\n From September, a new fare scheme will mean 16 to 21-year-olds pay no more than \u00a31 per bus journey in Wales.<\/p>\n Mr Skates said: \u201cPublic transport isn\u2019t just about moving people from A to B, it\u2019s about generating growth, it\u2019s about dealing with economic inactivity and economic inequality.\u201d<\/p>\n He commended the Wrexham Business Professionals for championing local prosperity. Ian Edwards from the group said: \u201cFor the public transport system to work and to serve the industrial estate properly, it can\u2019t just be one bus an hour, that won\u2019t work for anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n Louise Harper added: \u201cThe meeting on June 27 will give a useful insight into the benefits the Network North Wales programme will deliver for businesses and their workers.\u201d<\/p>\n The Maesgwyn Hall event in Wrexham will also feature talks from Laura Hall of Maverick Diagnostics and Amanda Davies from Wrexham Council, who is leading the city\u2019s UK City of Culture 2029 bid.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Main image: Ken Skates MS \u2013 picture by Mandy Jones<\/p>\n Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message<\/a> | A direct message on Twitter<\/a> | Email: [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/strong> \t \t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n Latest News<\/strong> <\/p>\n \t\t Join our no-spam low volume email list:<\/b><\/p>\n Get notified about ![\"News](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-23.37.27-840x528.jpg\")
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