Passengers across Gedling borough will benefit from a new National Bus Strategy, which will deliver the most ambitious reform to the sector in generations.
Nottinghamshire County Council will need to work in partnership with operators on the determined new Bus Service Improvement Plans for the benefit of passengers to be eligible for future funding.
Only councils and operators who work to meet these requirements will continue to receive the around £100 million per month emergency Covid funding for the sector, or any new sources of funding from the £3 billion investment.
The plan paves the way for cheaper, quicker and more reliable bus services across England as the Conservative Government continues its levelling-up agenda.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Buses are this country’s favourite way of getting around. They help us get to school, to the GP, or to the shops – but services across England are patchy, and it’s frankly not good enough.”
Councils and operators will be expected to provide:
- Simpler single bus fares with daily price caps, so people can use the bus as many times a day as they need without facing mounting costs.
- More services in the evenings and at the weekends.
- Integrated services and ticketing across all transport modes in the area, so people can easily move from bus to train.
- Easy to access information, including online, so that services are simple to use.
- All buses to accept contactless payments.
The investment will allow many Gedling residents who rely on public transport to have easier access to its services.
Gedling MP Tom Randall said: “Good bus services can have a transformational role in places like Gedling, unlocking job opportunities, boosting businesses and supporting economic growth.”
Councils will need to franchise services or establish statutory partnerships with operators which ensures that they work in collaboration for the benefit of passengers.
They will also be required to publish an improvement plan.
Such improvements will be underpinned by fundamental reforms to the sector and will see operators need to work with their local councils on targets for improving passenger numbers, reliability and passenger satisfaction.
Alongside the new bus strategy it was also announced that Nottinghamshire County Council will receive £1,497,000 as part of its £20 million Rural Mobility Fund.
It’s designed to trial an on demand responsive transport in rural and suburban settings – such as minibuses booked via an app – where a traditional bus service isn’t appropriate.
Improving services across the country will help ensure more people turn to the bus, rather than the car, as the country builds back better and greener from the pandemic.
This new funding will make a significant positive impact on the lives of people living in more remote communities across Nottinghamshire, by boosting their local transport links, as well as providing valuable insight into an innovative approach to bus travel.
