William Eichler 18 November 2024

Haigh: Bus services to get £1bn boost

Haigh: Bus services to get £1bn boost image
Image: Nigel A Messenger / Shutterstock.com.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has announced nearly £1bn in funding for bus services across the UK.

Local authorities will receive £712m of the funding while bus operators will get £243m.

Haigh said the extra funding would ‘end the postcode lottery of bus services.’

‘Buses are the lifeblood of communities, but the system is broken. Too often, passengers are left waiting hours for buses that don’t turn up – and some have been cut off altogether.’

Alison Edwards, director of Policy and External Relations at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, commented: ‘Buses are vital to economic growth – they carry ten million passengers a day. This funding is a valuable investment in journeys that help people to earn, learn and spend in local communities.’

Cllr Peter Thornton, County Councils Network spokesperson for Transport and Infrastructure, said: 'We are therefore pleased that the government have listened to our calls, moving away from competitive bidding process and distributing funding based on need. As a result, county and rural unitary authorities, alongside combined authorities in these areas, will receive 55% (£372m) of the new funding allocated for 2025/26. This is a significant improvement on previous rounds of BSIP funding and will help councils support local bus services in their areas.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Virtual School Inclusion Support OfficerPermanent, Term Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Business Development Officer

Essex County Council
£36341.0000 - £42754.0000 per annum
Senior Business Development Officer - Integrated Passenger Transport UnitFixed Term, Full Time£36,341 to £42,754 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview dates
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner