A new £50 million Better Bus Areas fund is an initiative which will see bus operators working in partnership with local authorities to increase passenger numbers. Successful bids must have the backing of at least one major local bus operator. Bids could include measures to reduce congestion, provide better information to passengers, make improvements to bus stations or encourage people to switch to buses from the car in densely populated urban areas.
Also announced is a further £10 million to support the development of Community Transport, which will provide funding to 76 local authorities.
This comes on top of the announcements in the Autumn Statement which provided:
- £20 million for a third round of the Green Bus Fund, to help bus operators and Local Authorities to buy low carbon buses;
- £10 million to fit pollution reduction technology to London buses. This is made up of £5 million funding from central Government and £5 million match funding from Transport for London.
David Gambles
