The government has allocated funding which will help local bus and light rail services across the country as millions of passengers return to the network after the pandemic. This package sees over £150 million provided by government to support vital bus and light rail services nationwide.

According to the government, this new deal ensures services will continue running as operators and local authorities work towards building a sustainable future. Bus and light rail operators across England will benefit from over £150 million of government support, ensuring services continue to run and millions of passengers can continue to get around as the country emerges from the pandemic.

Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said:

“The funding I’ve announced today will ensure millions of us can continue to use vital public transport services and brings the total we’ve provided to the sector to keep services running throughout the pandemic to over £2 billion.”

Baroness Vere, Roads Minister, said:

“Millions of people rely on buses and trams to get them to work, school and the shops, which is why we have already provided billions of pounds of support for the sector throughout the pandemic.”

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), said:

“In the longer term, the bus network will need to adapt to meet passengers’ new travel patterns. Over the coming months, operators will be working closely with local authorities to plan future bus networks and introduce plans to grow passenger numbers. To aid these local efforts we look forward to working with the government to loudly promote bus travel.”