Millions of passengers in the West of England are set to benefit from faster, cheaper and more reliable buses after the Government announced a £42.4 million boost for buses in the region.

Multi-year funding will give areas the freedom to spend their allocations in whatever way they see fit, allowing authorities to run schemes like West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Kids Go Free initiative. Multi-year settlements will give the much-needed certainty to develop and drive forward plans which cater to the needs of their communities.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“This latest record transport investment – a more than £40 million boost for our buses – is another vote of confidence in the new chapter we’ve started in the West Country.

“New green electric buses are already making a real difference for passengers across our region, with more on their way. Kids Go Free, using this year’s devolved government funding, is coming back for the Christmas school holidays after such success over the summer.

“Empowered by this three-year settlement, we’ll continue working together with local councils on a bus network that works.”

£42.4 million for the West of England over the next three years works out at over £14 million per year; North Somerset Council receives a separate allocation.

Millions in funding will be allocated to authorities every single year up to 2028/29 and can be spent however they want. It means local leaders rather than Whitehall will decide how bus services should be run. 

Today’s announcement is part of the Government’s wider commitment to making public transport cheaper and more reliable, bearing down on the cost of living for working people.

Freezing national rail fares for the first time in 30 years will save commuters on more expensive routes more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash. Commuters travelling three days a week between Bath and Bristol could save almost £80 each.

(Picture: West of England Mayoral Combined Authority)