GM transport commissioner tipped for top Transport for Wales post
Vernon Everitt has been named as the preferred candidate to chair the Welsh government’s transportation group.
The Senedd will review Everitt’s appointment to become the chair of Transport for Wales on 19 June, prior to the role becoming official.
Transport for Wales is dedicated to promoting active and sustainable travel in the country. As chair, Everitt would work to implement the group’s T Network plan – a multimodal transport strategy that includes public transit as well as walking and cycling.
Chief among its aims is to have a single ticket for travellers to use on a journey – regardless of whether they are going by train, bus, or a mixture of the two. Similarly, people will be able to use one single app and website to plan their trips.
Everitt has undertaken a similar brief in the North West, where he is the Greater Manchester transport commissioner. In the role, he has helped oversee the franchising of the bus network and the creation of the Bee Network. Everitt will continue in his role in Greater Manchester regardless of whether or not his appointment to chair Transport for Wales is confirmed.
In addition to his role in GM, Everitt’s resume includes time as the senior executive at Transport for London.
Everitt is already familiar with the Transport for Wales mission as a non-executive director on the group’s board.
Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, cited Everitt’s established background in public transport as one of the chief reasons for naming Everitt as his preferred candidate for the role.
If his appointment is confirmed, Everitt will replace Scott Waddington as the chair of the board.
Skates thanked Waddington for his work on the board.
“I would like to put on record my appreciation for the critical role that the current chair, Scott Waddington, has played in the significant growth of the organisation since its incorporation in 2018, as well as navigating the unprecedented challenges faced by public transport operators as a result of the pandemic,” he said.
Everitt declined to comment on his preferred candidacy.
Sounds like the football transfer window rumour mill.
By Anonymous