£13 million to be invested in buses in the East
It's on top of the £50m already being spent on bus services in Norfolk
Suffolk is to get £3.6m to improve local bus services across the next few years.
It's part of a government plan which will see a total of £13 million spent across the East over the next two years.
The money's coming from the Department for Transport, and is on top of the £50m already being spent on bus services in Norfolk.
We're told it'll go towards 'lower fares, improved reliability and better bus services' into 2025.
Local authorities are being given the cash to shape how services need to change in their area.
Money's already gone into things like new services, enhancing existing ones in the weekends or evenings, making tickets cheaper through reduced fares for elderly or young people, or to protect bus services with low passenger numbers.
Government Roads Minister Richard Holden said:
“Buses are the most popular form of public transport, and so many residents in the East of England rely on their local service to get to work, attend medical appointments, and see loved ones.
“We are delivering for local communities across eleven local authorities by providing a further £13.6 million to improve and protect essential local services, as we continue to boost transport connections in the East of England to help grow the economy.”
Cllr Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said:
“This is great news for Suffolk and this award of BSIP+ funding will make a real difference in the county. Suffolk is always keen to work with government and I look forward to seeing how we can use this money to improve transport links within Suffolk.”
Cllr Alexander Nicoll, Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy and Chair of the Suffolk Enhanced Partnership, said:
“As Chair of the Enhanced Partnership – a group that represents bus operators, the County Council, bus users, local communities, and other transport stakeholders across Suffolk – I am looking forward to working with our partners to get the maximum value for money from our BSIP+ funding award.”
Previous Government investment has seen £200 million go into extending the bus fare cap, with single bus tickets capped at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023, and then at £2.50 until 30th November 2024.
Silviya Barrett, from Campaign for Better Transport, said:
“We’re pleased the £2 bus fare cap we campaigned for has been a success, reducing fares and boosting passenger numbers.
“The additional funds for local authorities announced today are also welcome and we hope that this is just the start of ongoing investment in bus networks across the country.”