Government Pledges Nearly £1 Billion to Boost Bus Services Across England
The UK government has announced a significant £1 billion investment to improve bus services nationwide, marking a substantial commitment to public transportation. The Department for Transport (DfT) will allocate £712 million to local authorities and an additional £243 million to bus operators, with funding distributed based on need, population, and deprivation levels.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh described the funding as a “record capital investment” aimed at delivering “London-style buses to every corner of the country,” including areas traditionally overlooked. The initiative seeks to address the transportation needs of the 3.4 million people in England who regularly use buses, the most common form of public transport.
Key aspects of the funding include:
1. Enabling local authorities in all English regions to:
– Introduce new bus routes
– Increase service frequency
– Protect crucial transportation links
– Maintain high-level urban services
– Expand services in rural communities and small towns
Specific regions like Leicester, Isle of Wight, Torbay, Southend, Cambridgeshire, and Peterborough are expected to receive “unprecedented” levels of funding.
The announcement precedes the upcoming Buses Bill, which will grant local transport authorities expanded powers to manage their own services. An additional £151 million will help maintain the £3 single bus fare cap outside London until the end of 2025.
However, the fare cap has drawn criticism from the Liberal Democrats. Party leader Sir Ed Davey characterized the cap as a “bus tax” that could negatively impact commuters and local businesses. He called for parliamentary debate on the fare increase.
The Department for Transport defended the fare cap, stating that without intervention, some fares could have increased significantly. They emphasized that fares will only rise with inflation and that the £3 cap could lead to savings of up to 80% on certain routes.
Haigh summarized the government’s transportation philosophy succinctly: “Buses need to turn up, be affordable, and be punctual.” The comprehensive funding strategy aims to address these core requirements by providing resources for service improvements and affordability.
This substantial investment represents a significant step towards enhancing public transportation infrastructure across England, with a focus on accessibility, affordability, and service quality. By prioritizing areas of greatest need and providing unprecedented funding, the government hopes to transform bus services and provide more reliable transportation options for millions of citizens.
The initiative signals a commitment to improving public transport beyond major urban centers, potentially offering more comprehensive and efficient transportation solutions for communities across the country.
