£85m funding boost for Yorkshire & Humber buses
Areas such as Hull and South Yorkshire are being prioritised, with the Department for Transport investment looking to enhance popular routes, maintain rural services, and increase everyday bus use.
Funding is now allocated on a ‘place need’ basis taking into account levels of deprivation and population, with the aim of encouraging growth across the country.
Each region in England will receive government investment, and the Bus Bill introduced to parliament will give councils more power to make decisions about when and where local services should be.
An area of particular note is ‘lifeline services’ that run between towns and hospitals, something that is part of the government’s plan to improve the NHS.
The funding is intended to help bus services function into 2026.
Transport secretary Louise Haigh, who is also MP for Sheffield Heeley, said: “The value of regular and reliable bus services cannot be understated.
“For far too long, Yorkshire and the Humber has been suffering from unreliable services with buses hugely delayed, or not even turning up at all.
“This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services, drive economic growth, and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.
“We’ve already committed over £150m to extend the bus fare cap and keep fares low and this nearly £1bn of further funding will mean local routes are protected, reliability is improved and the passenger is put first.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “We are committed to keeping bus fares as low and affordable as possible, while investing in protecting the bus network across the region.
“Because we know that in order to deliver on the growth mission we must have a better-connected region.
“Our Mayors fares scheme has helped get more people using buses in West Yorkshire, and I’m pleased to confirm that the £2 fare will be extended until the end of March. We will provide an update on future plans later this week.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “This money will help us to keep vital bus services on the road, so people across South Yorkshire can get to work, to school, to the doctors, or just to see friends and family.
“No single funding round was ever going to fix all our problems, but this money is vitally important and going forward we are determined to work with the government on a long-term plan to give our communities the world class public transport system they deserve.”
Investment breakdown:
- East Riding of Yorkshire: £4.9m
- Hull City Council: £7.9m
- North East Lincs: £3.7m
- North Lincs: £2.9m
- South Yorkshire MCA: £17.7m
- West Yorkshire CA: £36m
- York & North Yorkshire CA: £12.7m.
