£150 Million Boost for Bus Services in the West Midlands and Northern England

The West Midlands and northern England are set to receive a £150 million boost for bus services, part of a £1 billion investment plan by the UK Government. The funding will be allocated to local authorities and bus operators to support the introduction of new bus services, increase the frequency of existing ones, and reintroduce evening services. The Government has also confirmed that the £2 cap on bus fares will be extended until the end of 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• The £150 million funding is part of a £1 billion investment plan by the UK Government to support bus services in the Midlands and northern England.
• The largest single allocation, £16.6 million, will go to the West Midlands Combined Authority, while £16.3 million will be allocated to Greater Manchester and £13.4 million to West Yorkshire.
• Local authorities and bus operators will decide how to use the funding, which could support up to 25 million miles of new bus services.
• The funding could be used to reintroduce evening services, increase the frequency of buses on busy routes, or introduce new services to connect areas.
• The £2 cap on bus fares will be extended until the end of 2024 to ensure that bus travel remains affordable for millions of people.
• Community services for older people and vulnerable passengers will receive a 60% funding increase in the amount they can claim for fuel to help keep costs down.

Statistics:

• £150 million: The amount of funding allocated to bus services in the Midlands and northern England.
• £16.6 million: The largest single allocation for the West Midlands Combined Authority.
• £16.3 million: The allocation for Greater Manchester.
• £13.4 million: The allocation for West Yorkshire.
• 25 million miles: The number of miles of new bus services that the funding could support.
• £2: The cap on bus fares that will be extended until the end of 2024.
• 60%: The funding increase for community services for older people and vulnerable passengers.

Sources:

• The UK Government's announcement of the £1 billion investment plan.
• The Birmingham Mail's article on the £150 million boost for bus services in the Midlands and northern England.
• The National Express Coventry bus service to be axed and changes made to other routes.