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The UK government has promised nearly £1bn to develop bus transit systems nationwide. The country’s Department for Transport states that every corner of the UK will see the introduction of “London-style” bus services, with funds being allocated according to population and levels of deprivation. In previous years, the areas that were due for investment were determined through competition. The DfT aims to allocate an unprecedented level of funding to designated areas including Leicester, the Isle of Wight, Torbay, Southend, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The DfT has issued more details on the budget boost, which includes £712m for local authorities to enhance existing services, and a further £243m for bus operators. Almost 3.4 million people in England regularly use buses as their primary mode of transport. The latest funding will enable local authorities nationwide to introduce new bus routes, offer more services in small towns, and make existing services more frequent. More urban areas will be able to provide high-quality services while rural communities will benefit from increased service offerings.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh explained that “buses need to turn up, be affordable, and be punctual” while endorsing the government’s funding, which represents record capital investment in transport, calling it a once-in-a-generation reform plan that aims to ensure that all parts of the UK have London-style bus systems.
In related news, the government has introduced the Buses Bill, which will equip local transport authorities with new powers for running their own services. Additionally, £151m in funding will help put a cap on single bus fares nationwide until the end of 2025 to reduce fare prices outside of London. However, the Liberal Democrats have called for the fare cap increase, which saw single bus fares rise to £3 last month, to be rescinded, claiming that it will be detrimental to both commuters and local businesses. Transport Secretary Haigh, however, emphasised that the fare cap was due to expire at the end of 2024 and that fares would have increased significantly without the intervention. She further explained that the subsidy would assist in keeping bus prices affordable throughout the country.
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