 The plans would help the assembly co-ordinate transport across Wales |
Proposals giving the Welsh assembly more say over the railways in Wales are being unveiled by the UK government. The draft Transport (Wales) Bill will allow the assembly to develop a more integrated transport policy.
Currently, the Welsh assembly government controls roads in Wales, but has little say over the railways.
If the bill becomes law, the assembly will be able to direct the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to improve services on the Wales and the Borders
franchise.
The SRA is the body responsible for delivering the UK government's transport strategy.
If the bill is passed, the assembly government will also choose the head of the main passenger watchdog and will be required to publish a Wales Transport Strategy.
The bill would also allow the assembly to give financial assistance for air services and airport facilities, providing it does not breach European rules.
 |  It will give [the assembly] the chance to in increase investment into services which they don't have at the moment |
Both AMs and MPs will be able to debate the draft bill before it becomes law.
Last December, Arriva trains took over the Wales and Borders franchise.
It became the sole provider of all train services in Wales except for long-distance Virgin and First Great Western services.
Under the deal signed in October between Arriva and the SRA, the firm is also responsible for all stations in the network.
Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain told BBC Wales the bill would boost the assembly's capacity to plan integrated transport.
"It will give them the chance to in increase investment into services which they don't have at the moment.
"It wil be a good deal for commuters," he said.
"There could be extra services - if the assembly decided a remote area or a valley line justified the extra investment, it would have the power to do that kind of thing."
Other examples he gave were developing a bus services across local authority boundaries or using one ticket for a range of bus or train services.
"It would act as a real incentive for people to get off the road out of their cars and onto buses and trains," he added.
Assembly transport minister Andrew Davies said: "It means the assembly government can direct resources to the right places, filling in the gaps in the transport system, so that people have real alternatives using their cars."
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