£80 million funding delivered for bus services

Roads minister Richard Holden has confirmed allocations for 64 local authorities across England from the £80 million investment in the bus service improvement plan+ (BSIP+) for 2024 to 2025.

It is hoped millions of people across England will benefit from lower fares, improved reliability and better bus services.

Local authorities are able to use the money to improve local buses in several ways, like bringing in new services or routes, extending timetables through new morning or evening buses or making tickets cheaper through reduced fares for elderly or young people. The money can also be used to protect hundreds of bus services with low passenger numbers so that people who rely on them for essential services can continue to access their local bus.

Holden said: "Buses are the most popular form of public transport and millions of people across the country from the Tees Valley to Torbay rely on their local service to get to work, attend medical appointments and see loved ones.

"We are providing a further £80 million to help local authorities improve and protect essential services, delivering for local communities across the country by enhancing transport connections, supporting passengers and growing the economy."

Silviya Barrett, from Campaign for Better Transport, said: "We’re pleased the £2 bus fare cap we campaigned for has been a success, reducing fares and boosting passenger numbers.

"The additional funds for local authorities announced today are also welcome and we hope that this is just the start of ongoing investment in bus networks across the country."

Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay