South West of England bus services to receive £246 million boost - here's what you need to know

The Government has announced it will be investing £245.9 million for bus services and infrastructure across the South West.

Multi-year funding will give councils the freedom to spend their allocations in whatever way they see fit, allowing local authorities to run schemes like West of England Combined Authority’s Kids Go Free initiative.

It follows after the Bus Services Act became law in October, which gave local authorities the power to run local services how they see fit for the first time and provides greater protection to socially necessary routes.

Millions of pounds in funding will be allocated to local authorities in the South West every single year up to 2028/29 and local leaders, rather than Whitehall, will have the power to decide how bus services should be run, continuing the Government’s commitment to ensuring services are run for people, not profit.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “After years of decline, better buses are finally on the way. Our £3 billion investment will give local authorities the long-term funding they need to deliver lower fares, more frequent services, and the reliable transport that communities depend on.

"We've already extended the £3 bus fare cap to help people with their everyday journeys, and now we're backing this with the funding councils need to transform their local services.

"This is part of our wider plan to make public transport cheaper across the country – we've frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years and we’re building Great British Railways to deliver better value for passengers.

"Whether it's the bus to work, the train to see family, or getting to a hospital appointment, affordable transport is essential to bearing down on the cost of living and growing our economy."

Minister for Roads and Buses, Simon Lightwood said: “For too long passengers have been let down by unreliable services, sub-standard bus stations and over a decade of routes being cut.

“This £3 billion boost will change this, providing passengers with lower fares, more frequent and reliable services and safer journeys – helping both ease the cost of living and making it easier for people to get to work, hospital appointments and social plans, boosting the economy.”

The announcement forms part of the Government’s wider commitment to make public transport cheaper and more reliable, bearing down on the cost of living for working people.

Rail fares have also been frozen for the first time in 30 years, which will save commuters on more expensive routes over £300 each year.

The Government is also reforming the railways through Great British Railways, which will bring fares and ticketing into the 21st century with tap in tap out and digital ticketing, delivering better value for money for passengers.