lb226 million package to aid vital bus services
Roads Minister Baroness Vere has announced that bus operators will benefit from £226.5 million in funding to help ensure they continue to run vital services as coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Running from September 2021 to April 2022, the funding is set to profit operators outside of London, cementing the government’s resolve for gain levels transport links as passenger numbers begin to return to pre-pandemic levels.
The government says that recovery funding will offer the key aims from the National Bus Strategy of encouraging local authorities and operators to operate together to deliver better bus services.
Baroness Vere said: “Buses are the lifeblood in our communities, helping us get to work, school and to see family and friends. The recovery funding will make sure vital services continue to run by supporting operators in those initial months, as restrictions are lifted and passengers start to return in higher numbers. And as we build back greener in the pandemic, the £120 million to roll out zero emission buses have a profoundly positive effect on our cities and towns, lowering emissions, improving air quality and reducing environmental noise.”
The Department for Transport has also announced it has received 35 Expression of Interest applications for that Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, which provides local transport authorities the chance to compete for any share of £120 million to support the rollout of zero emission buses across England.
The following local transport authorities happen to be selected under the fast track tactic to progress the next stage from the competition: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority; Kent County Council; Leicester City Council; Milton Keynes Borough Council; Warrington Borough Council ; and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
