Are there still favourable prospects ahead for Veolia Transport’s comeback in Wales?

French giant Veolia, formerly known as Connex, is continuing to withdraw from Welsh bus routes, having re-established a foothold in the UK with the purchase of several independents. However, the group is confident that it has a bright future in Wales, as Rhodri Clark reports

One of Veolia Transport Cymru’s vehicles in service on the flagship Gower Explorer network. These services are up for tender next year and could be lost if the local authority takes reputation into account

One of Veolia Transport Cymru’s vehicles in service on the flagship Gower Explorer network. These services are up for tender next year and could be lost if the local authority takes reputation into account

One of Veolia’s Powys fleet. The French-owned made headlines when it swept in and won a large tranche of tenders in the county

One of Veolia’s Powys fleet. The French-owned made headlines when it swept in and won a large tranche of tenders in the county

For the past couple of years, trying to guess what Veolia is doing has been a topic of frequent conversation for managers at other South Wales bus companies. The French company, formerly Connex, bought several operators in the region in quick succession, including the biggest Welsh independent Shamrock Travel. Then it surprised everyone by pushing into rural Mid-Wales last year, despite the sparse population and a local authority which has historically achieved less in public transport than...