Mayor welcomes £42 million for buses

Millions of passengers in the region are set to benefit from faster, cheaper and more reliable buses after the Government announces a £42.4 million boost for buses in the West of England.

Multi-year funding will give areas the freedom to spend their allocations in whatever way they see fit, allowing authorities to run schemes like West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Kids Go Free initiative.

For years places have been held back from making long-term investments, but multi-year settlements will finally give the much-needed certainty to develop and drive forward plans which cater to the needs of their communities.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“This latest record transport investment – a more than £40 million boost for our buses – is another vote of confidence in the new chapter we’ve started in the West Country.

“New green electric buses are already making a real difference for passengers across our region, with more on their way. Kids Go Free, using this year’s devolved government funding, is coming back for the Christmas school holidays after such success over the summer.

“Empowered by this three-year settlement, we’ll continue working together with local councils on a bus network that works.”

£42.4 million for the West of England over the next three years works out at over £14 million per year; this year, the West of England’s Bus Grant is worth £13.5 million. North Somerset Council receives a separate allocation.

Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary, said:

“After years of decline, better buses are finally on the way. Our £3 billion investment will give local authorities the long-term funding they need to deliver lower fares, more frequent services, and the reliable transport that communities depend on.

“We’ve already extended the £3 bus fare cap to help people with their everyday journeys, and now we’re backing this with the funding councils need to transform their local services.

“This is part of our wider plan to make public transport cheaper across the country – we’ve frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years and we’re building Great British Railways to deliver better value for passengers.

“Whether it’s the bus to work, the train to see family, or getting to a hospital appointment, affordable transport is essential to bearing down on the cost of living and growing our economy.”

Simon Lightwood, Minister for Roads and Buses, said:

“For too long passengers have been let down by unreliable services, sub-standard bus stations and over a decade of routes being cut.

“This £3 billion boost will change this, providing passengers with lower fares, more frequent and reliable services and safer journeys – helping both ease the cost of living and making it easier for people to get to work, hospital appointments and social plans, boosting the economy.”

Millions in funding will be allocated to authorities every single year up to 2028/29 and can be spent however they want. It means local leaders rather than Whitehall will decide how bus services should be run. click to open in a new windowThis landmark funding follows the Bus Services Act becoming law in October.

Today’s announcement is part of the Government’s wider commitment to making public transport cheaper and more reliable, bearing down on the cost of living for working people.

Freezing national rail fares for the first time in 30 years will save commuters on more expensive routes more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash. Commuters travelling three days a week between Bath and Bristol could save almost £80 each.

click to open in a new windowThe Government is also reforming the railways through Great British Railways, which will bring fares and ticketing into the 21st century with tap in tap out and digital ticketing, delivering better value for money for passengers.

Original press release by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority