Derbyshire is one of thirty-one areas across the country chosen to receive new funding to level up their local bus services through the Government’s £1.2 billion bus transformation programme.
The new funding is part of a £7 billion package which includes £5.7 billion to level up local transport services across England’s eight city regions; and over £37 million for light rail services across the North and Midlands. Together this package will help to level up transport outside of London – delivering lower, simpler fares to help tackle cost-of-living pressures.
Including earlier awards, just under two thirds of England's population outside London will benefit from new investment to make their buses more frequent, more reliable, easier to understand and use, cheaper, or greener. Improvements will also include integrated ticketing and more bus lanes to speed up journeys.
Commenting, Mark said:
“Bus networks form the spine of local transport – but for decades too many communities have been let down by poor bus infrastructure.
“That is why I am delighted Derbyshire is receiving £47 million of new funding to boost our bus services – transforming our local transport network to deliver cheaper, more reliable and more frequent services for passengers.
“This will mean that passengers across Derbyshire will get a better deal, with a local transport network they can truly rely on.”
Commenting, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“Buses are the most popular way of getting around in this country – but for too long people outside of London have had a raw deal.
“The investment we’re making today to ramp up the bus revolution will drive down fares at a time when people’s finances are tight and help connect communities across England.”
