Millions across England are to benefit from lower bus fares, improved reliability and better bus services as a further £80 million is delivered by the government supporting buses into 2025.

Sixty-four local authorities across England will have allocations from the £80 million investment in the bus service improvement plan+ (BSIP) for 2024 to 2025.

Bringing in new service routes, extending timetables through new morning, or evening buses and making tickets cheaper, reducing fares for the elderly or young people are all ways local authorities can put this funding to use.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “Buses are the most popular form of public transport and millions of people across the country from the Tees Valley to Torbay 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 investment takes the total support to bus services to £300 million with the government also investing £200 million extending the bus fare cap with tickets capped at £2 until the end of October 2023.

Janette Bell, Managing Director of First Bus, said: “We look forward to working together with our local authority partners to deliver the best services possible for our customers.

“At First Bus, we are driven by a passion to get more people using the bus and we welcome any funding that makes taking the bus an easier travel choice” she added.

Silviya Barrett, from Campaign for Better Transport, said: “We’re pleased the £2 bus fare cap we campaigned for has been a success, reducing fares and boosting passenger numbers.

“The additional funds for local authorities announced today are also welcome and we hope that this is just the start of ongoing investment in bus networks across the country.”