City of York Council have been awarded £17.3million by the Conservative Government to improve local bus services. This is in addition to the £8.4 million received to purchase 44 electric buses.
The latest funding will be used to:
- improve the frequency of services;
- provide cheaper tickets for young people;
- upgrade the park and ride network;
- complete the electrification of the bus fleet;
- and introduce more routes.
This funding is part of a £7 billion package from the Conservative Government, made up of £1.2 billion of funding for areas who will prioritise improving their bus services for local residents; £5.7 billion of transport funding to England’s eight city regions; and £38 million for light rail operators across the Midlands and North.
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.
Conservative councillors tried to introduce more funding for bus services but your Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party councillors voted against their budget amendment. Instead, the Conservative Government has stepped up to provide funding for local priorities.
