The Government has confirmed that it will provide £264.1 million in funding to support local authorities in the West Midlands, improving journeys for millions of passengers
A huge funding package has been announced for buses in Birmingham and the West Midlands
A multi-million pound funding boost for buses in the West Midlands has been announced, promising faster, cheaper and more reliable travel for millions of passengers.
A whopping £264.1 million injection from the Government is set to revolutionise bus services and infrastructure in the West Midlands.
It will be up to local authorities to decide how they spend the cash, and could see schemes like Worcestershire’s £2 bus fares introduced.
The Government say it will result in more reliable services, enabling greater access to jobs and opportunities for many, thereby stimulating economic growth.
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For years, local authorities in the West Midlands have been constrained from making long-term investments, but these multi-year settlements will finally provide the much-needed assurance to develop and execute plans tailored to the needs of their communities.
This significant funding comes in the wake of the Bus Services Act becoming law in October, which for the first time bestowed local authorities with the power to manage local services as they see fit and offers increased protection to socially necessary routes.
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 allocations consolidate various bus funding streams into a single source. Millions in funding will be distributed to local authorities across the West Midlands annually until 2028/29, with complete discretion over how it’s spent.
This means local leaders, rather than Whitehall, will determine how bus services should operate, continuing the Government’s pledge to ensure services are run for people, not profit.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Thousands of people rely on our bus network every day to get to where they need to be, and I’m taking back control of our buses to ensure our network remains affordable and accessible.
“The government understands this and is backing my plans with this funding so we can keep fares low, improve services, and make sure passengers are put first.”
The announcement forms part of the Government’s broader pledge to make public transport cheaper and more reliable, easing the cost of living for working people.
Freezing rail fares for the first time in three decades will save commuters on pricier routes over £300 annually, allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money.
The Government says it is also transforming the railways through Great British Railways, which will modernise fares and ticketing with tap in tap out and digital ticketing, delivering better value for passengers.