Gedling borough bus services are set to benefit as part of £27 million worth of new funding from the cancelled HS2 northern project to improve services across Notts.
The “Get Around For £2” bus fare cap scheme is now due to be extended to help people save money. The cap had been due to rise to £2.50 but will instead remain at £2 and continue until December 31, 2024.
According to initial analysis from a recent report published by the Department, the scheme has helped encouraged people to get back on the bus, with almost half of respondents saying the fare cap is the main reason they are using the bus more.
The £150 million from redirected HS2 funding is now being dedicated to levelling up bus services, with areas across the North and Midlands given extra support for bus services to become more frequent, more reliable, cheaper and easier to use.
Local authorities may use the additional funding to reintroduce evening services to support the night time economy, increase service frequency meaning less waiting time for passengers, introduce new routes to ensure areas previously unconnected are now connected or introduce a Demand Responsive Transport service to improve connectivity in rural areas.
Gedling MP Tom Randall praised the funding decision.
He said: “Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport, which is why the Government is right to make the long-term decision to reinvest every penny of savings from HS2 into local transport.
“The combined £6,531,000 of funding for Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council will be transformational for people across Gedling, improving services and making them cheaper and more reliable.
“Today’s announcement is only possible due to the long-term decision taken to redirect every penny of savings from HS2 in transport projects across the country – benefitting more people in more places, more quickly.”
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said: “Buses are the most popular form of public transport, which is why we are continuing to back our buses with record high levels of funding – supporting vital bus services and offering affordable travel for passengers.
“This increase in funding to deliver more reliable, frequent and affordable local bus services – and to extend the £2 bus fare cap – has only been possible with the redirected HS2 funding secured by this Government making the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
