The future of bus services in England ‘hangs in the balance’ with Government funding due to run out shortly, transport experts have warned.
The Urban Transport Group has urged the Government to prioritise spending on local urban transport in its Spring Budget next month.
The group which is the UK’s network of city region transport authorities says it wants to prevent many vital bus services being axed.
The Government has provided financial support to bus and light rail systems during and since the pandemic, to keep services running.
But the funding for light rail has already ended and is due to expire for bus services outside London is due to expire at the end of March.
The group’s director Jonathan Bray said: ‘The future of bus services in England hangs in the balance.
‘Government has provided welcome financial support for the bus, but with passenger numbers still well below pre-pandemic levels we urgently need a decision to continue funding otherwise many services will disappear overnight.’
