Better bus services are key to sustaining our local towns and villages
Improving local transport services across our constituency remains one of my top priorities. From conversations and correspondence with constituents from across our towns and villages I know that having fairly priced access to regular and reliable bus services is one of their priorities too.
Whilst our region has seen significant government investment in transport infrastructure, including a £570 million five-year funding settlement devolved to SYMCA, a continued decline in passenger numbers and the proposed October end of the additional pandemic funding, has introduced challenges for local bus services. Over the coming weeks and months I'll be working with all parts of government to help ensure we get the funding, and innovation, required to get the bus services people need.
Good transport has never just been about getting from A to B – but about connecting people with well-paid jobs, training and education, hospital appointments, shops and other people, and it’s central to the development and sustainability of our local communities and the opportunities available to the everyone who lives in them.
So I hope that you will take part in my short survey about local bus routes, like the SL1, to find out how you use our bus services and what is most important to you when choosing to use a bus.
August 19 update: Transport Minister extends Bus Recovery Grant with a further £130 million in overall funding.
