LONDON, UK: FirstGroup plc cheered the announcement by the Department for Transport (‘DfT’) of a bus recovery funding package to support the provision of vital services by regional bus operators in England as pandemic restrictions ease.
The new funding of £226.5m over six months will reinforce delivery of local bus services across England as passenger numbers rebuild. The funding package will support the industry’s transition away from the COVID-19 Bus Service Support Grant (‘CBSSG’) programme, which has been in place since May 2020 and will formally come to end on 1 September with the introduction of the new package.
In keeping with the industry, passenger volumes in First Bus have seen an encouraging increase in recent weeks, particularly since certain restrictions on travel began to ease from April.
In March, FirstGroup welcomed the publication of the National Bus Strategy in England, which provides a clear framework and substantial funding for bus operators and local government to work together to increase bus use, reduce urban congestion and accelerate the transition to zero emissions.
First Bus has already built close and effective relationships with many local transport authorities across the UK, and continues to work to develop the Bus Service Improvement Plans and future statutory partnerships with stakeholders that will deliver on the full potential of the National Bus Strategy, and the similar strategies in place in the other nations of the UK.
Commenting on today’s announcement, First Bus Managing Director Janette Bell said: “We welcome today’s announcement by the UK Government of a bus recovery funding package for England which will ensure that an effective bus network can be provided for customers as the economy and the communities we serve emerge from the pandemic.
“We will continue to build on the successful partnerships we have created with local authorities to meet our customers’ needs by developing joint plans for further improvements and innovation over the coming months. It is vital that the Government continues to work together with us to encourage more people onto buses in order to deliver economic revival, improve air quality and meet the UK’s net zero ambitions.”