Further £60 million boost for buses across England

Bus services across England are set to receive a further £60 million to make them greener, more efficient and easier to use, on top of funding already announced in the Autumn Statement.

The investment includes a £50 million Better Bus Areas fund, which will see bus operators working in partnership with local authorities to increase passenger numbers.

Successful bids must have the backing of at least one major local bus operator. Bids could include measures to reduce congestion, provide better information to passengers, make improvements to bus stations or encourage people to switch to buses from the car in densely populated urban areas.

In addition, a £10 million will be given to support the development of Community Transport, which will provide funding to 76 local authorities.

This cash injection is in addition to announcements made in the Autumn Statement which provided £20 million for a third round of the Green Bus Fund, to help bus operators and Local Authorities to buy low carbon buses; and £10 million to fit pollution reduction technology to London buses.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “This package of bus measures will support growth in our economy by creating better links to work, shops and schools, as well as helping to cut carbon emissions. This huge injection of £50 million for our new Better Bus Areas will encourage partnership working between good local authorities and good bus companies, which will benefit bus passengers.

“In terms of the Green Bus Fund announcement, the UK is fast establishing itself as a world leader in low carbon bus technology, and I am proud to deliver this vote of confidence in our bus building industry. This is great news for jobs and manufacturing in this country.

“The £20 million being provided is in addition to the £47 million that has already helped put 540 new low carbon buses on our roads and demonstrates how serious we are about reducing carbon emissions from transport.”

Local authorities wishing to bid for money from the Better Bus Areas fund will be asked to submit bids in February to allow the Department to award funding by the end of March.

For more information
www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases