‘We know residents want public transport that is more reliable, affordable, and accessible, and we want to continue investing in infrastructure that makes it easier for people to travel around the city’
Traffic and congestion have been long-standing issues in Cardiff(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Cardiff residents and businesses have been invited to have their say in a major public consultation on the future of the city’s public transport system.
The consultation will run for more than 12 weeks from October 5, 2026, to January 17, 2027, and will seek public opinion on a range of options that could help fund public transport and tackle congestion in parts of the city.
Earlier this year Cardiff council announced its preferred option was not congestion charges, as had been speculated for years, but a workplace parking levy (WPL) instead.
A WPL is an annual charge paid by businesses over a certain size to the council based on the number of employee parking spaces. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
The money raised by the levy would then be ring-fenced to help fund public transport infrastructure in the city such as bus routes or cycle lanes.
Currently only one UK city, Nottingham, uses this system and a number of others are considering or consulting on it.
A figure of £750 per employee parking space has been used in council papers though this number is only “for the purposes of analysis” and subject to change.
Based on this figure somewhere in the region of £10m is expected to be raised, subject to discounts and exemptions.
A dedicated webpage has been created on the council’s website (www.cardiff.gov.uk/workplaceparkinglevy) to provide information on the funding options being considered, the reasons for investment, frequently asked questions, and how people can take part in the consultation.
The page also includes a link to the online survey.
The public will also be able to speak directly to council officers at a series of drop-in events at St David’s Shopping Centre from October 12-18.
The events will provide opportunities to ask questions, learn more about the proposals, and share views.
Additional engagement sessions will also take place with major employers in the city to ensure businesses have opportunities to understand the proposals and participate in the consultation.
The council’s member for transport, Cllr Dan De’Ath, said: “Good transport is essential for Cardiff’s future.
“We know residents want public transport that is more reliable, affordable, and accessible, and we want to continue investing in infrastructure that makes it easier for people to travel around the city.
“Delivering those improvements requires significant investment so we are exploring a range of options that could help fund Cardiff’s future transport network.”
Previously the cabinet member called the current levels of funding for public transport “simply insufficient” and said the scheme was a chance to build the type of infrastructure “people on the continent take for granted and have for years”.
