Millions of people across England are set to benefit from improved bus services, lower fares, and enhanced reliability as the UK government announces a further £80 million investment in the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP+) for 2024 to 2025. This investment, part of a broader commitment of £3.5 billion since 2020, underscores the government's dedication to protecting and enhancing bus services while ensuring affordable transportation for all.
Roads Minister Richard Holden revealed the allocations for 64 local authorities across England that will receive funding from the £80 million BSIP+ initiative. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), this funding will empower local authorities to make vital improvements to their bus services, tailored to the specific needs of their communities.
Local authorities have the flexibility to utilise this funding in several ways, including introducing new services, extending timetables with additional morning or evening buses, or reducing fares for elderly and young passengers. Importantly, the investment can also safeguard low-patronage bus services that remain critical for residents relying on them for essential travel needs.
The Minister emphasised the significance of this funding, saying, "Buses are the most popular form of public transport, and millions of people across the country rely on their local service to get to work, attend medical appointments, and see loved ones. We are providing a further £80 million to help local authorities improve and protect essential services, delivering for local communities across the country by enhancing transport connections, supporting passengers, and growing the economy."
This additional funding builds on the success of previous BSIP initiatives, including the £80 million allocation for 2023 to 2024 and the initial £1 billion funding announced in 2022. Furthermore, the extension of the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) with an additional £140 million, taking the total support for bus services to £300 million into 2025, highlights the government's commitment to this essential mode of transportation.
To alleviate the cost of living and reduce travel expenses for citizens, the government has invested £200 million to extend the bus fare cap. Single bus tickets are capped at £2 outside of London until the end of October 2023 (and subsequently at £2.50 until the end of November 2024). This has led to a substantial 10.8% reduction in average fares in rural and non-metropolitan areas, benefiting those who rely on buses for their daily commutes.
The official report on the "£2 Bus Fare Cap Second Interim Evaluation" reveals that the fare cap has incentivised people to use buses, with nearly half of respondents attributing their increased bus usage to this initiative. Over 50 million single bus tickets were sold in England in the first two months of 2023, with two-thirds benefiting from the fare cap.
The government has also allocated £5.7 billion to eight mayoral combined authorities through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) to enhance integrated transport networks over five years, including bus infrastructure. Additionally, £129 million is earmarked for deploying zero-emission buses, with £25 million initially designated for rural communities, marking a total of almost £500 million in green transportation solutions.
The UK government believes this sustained commitment to funding and improving bus services demonstrates its dedication to supporting local communities, reducing the cost of travel, and fostering economic growth. The DfT hopes that, with this latest £80 million investment, millions of people can look forward to enhanced bus services that connect them to work, medical appointments, and other essential destinations, ensuring that buses remain an accessible and reliable mode of public transportation.
Roxana Hurjui, Bus Centre of Excellence