Bus services across the East Midlands are set to receive a funding boost, with the Government announcing £88 million in cash to enhance and protect public transport in the region.
The East Midlands Combined Authority (EMCA), which includes Gedling borough, has been allocated £40.6 million – the largest share of the funding. Other receivers include Leicestershire, which will receive a total of £17.7 million, alongside additional support for Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and other areas.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “For far too long, the East Midlands has been suffering from unreliable services. This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.”
The priority will be to use the investment to safeguard rural routes, improve punctuality, and increase bus use for shopping, socialising, and commuting.
The cash also supports the extension of the £3 bus fare cap, which will run until December 2025. This will keep travel costs low, saving passengers up to 80% on some routes.
Buses remain the most used form of public transport in the UK, serving as a lifeline between towns, hospitals, and key employment areas. The investment will ensure that patients can continue to access vital hospital appointments as part of the Government’s broader plans to reform the NHS.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said, “Improving our bus services is about more than just getting people from A to B – it’s about transforming lives and communities.”
