BETTER bus services are on the horizon in the West Midlands thanks to a £3billion boost for bus funding.
The Government announces a £264.1 million boost for services and infrastructure so millions of passengers across the West Midlands can benefit from faster, cheaper and more reliable buses.
Multi-year funding will give councils the freedom to spend their allocations in whatever way they see fit, allowing local authorities to run schemes like Worcestershire’s £2 bus fares.
This landmark funding follows the Bus Services Act becoming law in October, which for the first time gave local authorities the power to run local services how they see fit and provides greater protection to socially necessary routes.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “After years of decline, better buses are finally on the way. Our £3billion investment will give local authorities the long-term funding they need to deliver lower fares, more frequent services, and the reliable transport that communities depend on.
“We’ve already extended the £3 bus fare cap to help people with their everyday journeys, and now we’re backing this with the funding councils need to transform their local services.
“This is part of our wider plan to make public transport cheaper across the country – we’ve frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years and we’re building Great British Railways to deliver better value for passengers.
“Whether it’s the bus to work, the train to see family, or getting to a hospital appointment, affordable transport is essential to bearing down on the cost of living and growing our economy.”
The allocations bring together various bus funding streams into one source. Millions in funding will be allocated to local authorities in the West Midlands every single year up to 2028/29 and can be spent however they want.
It means local leaders rather than Whitehall will decide how bus services should be run, continuing the Government’s commitment to ensuring services are run for people, not profit.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Thousands of people rely on our bus network every day to get to where they need to be, and I’m taking back control of our buses to ensure our network remains affordable and accessible.
“The government understands this and is backing my plans with this funding so we can keep fares low, improve services, and make sure passengers are put first.”
The announcement is part of the Government’s wider commitment to making public transport cheaper and more reliable, bearing down on the cost of living for working people.
Freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years will save commuters on more expensive routes more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash.
The Government is also reforming the railways through Great British Railways, which will bring fares and ticketing into the 21st century with tap in tap out and digital ticketing, delivering better value for money for passengers.
