£2.1m going into bus service improvements in Wiltshire
It follows funding in May this year
Wiltshire Council has been awarded a further £2.1 million by the Department for Transport to continue improving bus services in the county.
It’s the second allocation of funding for the county, after an earlier allocation in May (also £2.1 million), from the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus fund. This latest funding is for the 2024 – 2025 period.
Following covid, bus passenger numbers have struggled both locally and nationally due to the challenging economic climate, higher fuel prices and shortage of bus drivers across the country.
The bus funding aims to address these issues by maintaining and growing bus services across the UK.
Wiltshire Council’s business plan sets out its mission to have vibrant, well-connected communities, and includes a promise to improve rural bus links.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: We're delighted to receive this further allocation of funding from the Government to improve bus services here in Wiltshire.
“We are committed to supporting the local economy, leisure and tourism, improving services to support vulnerable and elderly residents, and reducing carbon emissions, and this is reflected in our success in retaining bus services across the county and we are pleased to see passenger numbers increasing.
In recent months we have launched our new on-demand service in the Pewsey Vale area, stretching from train stations in Hungerford and Great Bedwyn via Marlborough, Pewsey and surrounding villages to Devizes. This service allows people to book a bus from a local stop using the Wiltshire Connect app or by phone on a semi flexible timetabled, or fully flexible, basis.
“This additional funding will enable us to continue to invest in bus services across the county. We know that buses are vital to connect people in a rural county like ours, and this funding, along with measures such as the Government's £2 bus fare promotion, will help to keep Wiltshire moving.
“Additionally, we have just launched our public transport policy consultation, which will enable local people to help us shape the future of bus services in the county.”