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County councils

Suffolk Secures £8 Million in Funding to Enhance Bus Services

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Suffolk County Council has obtained £8 million in funding from the Department for Transport's Local Authority Bus Grant to improve bus services across the county in 2025/26. The new funding builds upon the success of the previous Bus Service Improvement Programme (BSIP) funding, which enabled the launch and enhancement of over 15 routes, including the first Sunday and evening service between Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds in more than 20 years. The new funds will be used to launch new bus services, upgrade existing routes, and invest in infrastructure such as upgraded bus stops, stations, and priority measures.

Key Takeaways:

  • Suffolk County Council has secured £8 million in funding from the Department for Transport's Local Authority Bus Grant to improve bus services in 2025/26.
  • The funding will be used to launch new bus services, upgrade existing routes, and invest in capital projects such as upgraded bus stops, stations, and priority measures.
  • £2.8 million will be allocated for service improvements and £5.2 million for capital projects.
  • The council plans to invest in upgrading its Real Time Passenger Information system to provide live updates for passengers at bus stops across the county.
  • The funding follows previous investment of £3.7 million between 2023 and 2025, which supported the launch and enhancement of more than 15 routes under Suffolk's BSIP.
  • The new funds will help address recent service cancellations in Newmarket and Marham Park.
  • Chris Chambers, cabinet member for transport strategy, planning and waste, has praised the positive impact of the previous BSIP funding and is committed to enhancing public transport in the county.

Statistics:

  • £8 million: total funding secured by Suffolk County Council
  • £2.8 million: allocated for service improvements
  • £5.2 million: allocated for capital projects
  • £3.7 million: total funding secured between 2023 and 2025
  • 15: number of routes supported under Suffolk's BSIP
  • 20 years: time period since the last Sunday and evening service between Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds
  • 2025/26: year in which the new funding will be implemented

Sources:

  • Chloe Western, "Millions of pounds of new funding is set to continue to improve bus services across Suffolk," No specific date mentioned
  • Suffolk On Board website, "Full list of services funded under the previous BSIP round"

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