Dr Poulter is pleased the Government will be investing a further £155m to extend the Bus Recovery Grant and the £2 Bus Fare Cap for a further three months from April to 30 June 2023 for all bus services outside of London.
The bus sector continues to face challenges, with usage improving but still only 85-90% of pre-pandemic levels, resulting in some service reductions. The Government has already provided £2bn to bus operators and Local Transport Authorities March 2020 through the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant and currently the Bus Recovery Grant. This funding, provided to prevent reductions to bus services following the pandemic, was originally set to continue until 31 March 2023.
Without further support once the Bus Recovery Grant ends, fears were that there could be further reductions to bus services throughout England. That’s why the Government has announced this extension of the Bus Recovery Grant for a further three months in order to continue to support vital local bus services until 30 June 2023.
