Bus services across England are set to receive £90 million to make them greener, more efficient and easier to use, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today. The funding aims to cut carbon emissions and encourage growth, delivering a better service for passengers.
The 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, or make improvements to bus stations.
The government is injecting a further £10 million to support the development of Community Transport, which will provide funding to 76 local authorities. Today’s announcement of a total of £60 million comes on top of the announcements in the Autumn Statement, which provided £20 million for a third round of the Green Bus Fund and £10 million to fit pollution reduction technology to London buses.
“This package of bus measures will support growth in our economy by creating better links to work, shops and schools, as well as helping to cut carbon emissions,” said Transport Minister, Norman Baker. “In terms of the Green Bus Fund announcement, the UK is fast establishing itself as a world leader in low carbon bus technology, and I am proud to deliver this vote of confidence in our bus building industry. This is great news for jobs and manufacturing in this country.
Talking specifically about the Green Bus Fund, Norman Baker added, “The £20 million being provided is in addition to the £47 million that has already helped put 540 new low carbon buses on our roads and demonstrates how serious we are about reducing carbon emissions from transport.”
Click through for more information about the Green Bus Fund.
