Wiltshire Council receives further funding to improve and protect bus services

Friday, 6 October 2023 01:00

Wiltshire Council has been awarded a further £2.1m by the Department for Transport to spend on improving bus services in the county.

This second allocation of funding for the period 2024 to 2025 is from the Government's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus fund and follows an earlier allocation in May for 2023 to 2024.

Both nationally and locally, bus passenger numbers have struggled to increase back to pre-COVID levels, and the challenging economic climate, high fuel prices and a national bus driver shortage have compounded this. This bus funding is aimed at helping address these issues and maintaining and growing bus service levels across the county.

The council's Business Plan sets out its mission to have vibrant, well-connected communities and includes a pledge to improve rural bus links, and the extra funding will be used to encourage more people to use buses, as outlined in the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "We're delighted to receive this further allocation of funding from the Government to improve bus services here in Wiltshire.

"We are committed to supporting the local economy, leisure and tourism, improving services to support vulnerable and elderly residents, and reducing carbon emissions, and this is reflected in our success in retaining bus services across the county and we are pleased to see passenger numbers increasing.

"In recent months we have launched our new on-demand service in the Pewsey Vale area, stretching from train stations in Hungerford and Great Bedwyn via Marlborough, Pewsey and surrounding villages to Devizes. This service allows people to book a bus from a local stop using the Wiltshire Connect app or by phone on a semi flexible timetabled, or fully flexible, basis.

"This additional funding will enable us to continue to invest in bus services across the county. We know that buses are vital to connect people in a rural county like ours, and this funding, along with measures such as the Government's £2 bus fare promotion, will help to keep Wiltshire moving.

"Additionally, we have just launched our public transport policy consultation, which will enable local people to help us shape the future of bus services in the county."

To read the council's Bus Service Improvement Plan, people should go to: Bus Service Improvement Plan - Wiltshire Council

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