Bus and light rail operators across England will benefit from over £150 million of Government support, ensuring services continue to run and millions of passengers can continue to get around as the country emerges from the pandemic.
The funding package builds on almost two years’ worth of unprecedented Government support to keep bus and light rail networks running, with around £2 billion made available to over 160 operators during the pandemic. This represents the final tranche of pandemic-related support to operators and will run for six months until October 2022.
Not only will this new funding support operators and authorities as they adapt to changing travel patterns, but it will also help the continued delivery of Enhanced Partnerships, with local authorities working closely with bus companies to draw on their operating knowledge and marketing skills.
Additionally, it will support local authorities and operators across England as they continue working on Bus Service Improvement Plans and delivering substantive improvements to local services.
This additional package will help millions of passengers get around as they return to the network.
The Government is investing over £3 billion into bus services by 2025, including £1.2 billion to improve fares, services and infrastructure, and a further £525 million for zero emission buses.
This funding is dependent on local areas and operators co-designing a financially sustainable and passenger focussed public transport network, that works for changing travel patterns post-pandemic.