Nottingham City Council is continuing to support bus services on important routes after securing a Government grant.

The money has come through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and routes supported by the scheme include:

• The 49 which operates to Queens Drive Park-and-Ride and Boots Enterprise Zone – funding provides buses every 20 minutes.
• The NCT 3 route which now diverts into Silverdale and Wilford to mitigate the withdrawal of a CT4N 22 commercial service.
• The NCT 50 which has had newly-expanded hours running from Victoria Retail Park past the new housing developments on Daleside Road, Racecourse Park-and-Ride and the Island site.
• The NCT 70 to Bulwell – funding is being used to retain the current frequency.
• 1E to support children attending school in East Leake.

Councillor Angela Kandola, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport said: “The bus support package is vital for protecting important routes and ensuring wider service coverage. We are using this funding to support key routes like the 49 and the 50 running regularly to help people access work, study and leisure.”

In addition to the bus support package, BSIP funding has allowed Nottingham City Council to think more holistically about how to improve bus services, not just by building bus lanes and improving ticket options but supporting people to catch the bus in innovative ways.

The Care Leavers pilot was launched last year – where young people leaving the care of Nottingham City Council can now benefit from free travel on local public transport to help them get started in the next stage of their lives.

Further support is available for young people through BSIP as student fares have been extended to all under 22 in Nottinghamshire – regardless of if they are studying to help young people in the early stages of their working lives. This offer also extends to Robin Hood products as a new 19-21 price point has been introduced for season cards – with the pay-as-you-go version will be launching very soon.