Government unveils £83 million boost for South West bus services

The UK Government has announced a significant investment of £83 million to support bus services across the South West, ensuring improved and reliable transport options for passengers into 2026.

The funding, confirmed by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, is part of a broader strategy to deliver growth across the country and improve services in regions historically underserved by public transport. Areas such as Devon, Dorset, and Swindon will see enhanced bus services, benefitting from what the government describes as a "record level of investment in recent years”.

While every region in England will receive a share of the funding, the government is prioritising areas with the greatest need. The new approach also simplifies the funding process, moving away from competitive bidding systems that previously delayed decisions and wasted resources. Funding will now be allocated based on local needs, levels of deprivation, and population size, ensuring fairer distribution.

The investment aims to address longstanding issues such as unreliable and inconsistent bus services, which have been a source of frustration for passengers. Key goals include:

• Protecting rural services: Supporting vital connections between towns and hospitals.

• Expanding urban networks: Enhancing routes in urban areas to maintain high service levels.

• Boosting punctuality and reliability: Tackling delays and ensuring buses run on schedule.

• Increasing accessibility: Encouraging bus use for commuting, shopping, and social activities.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh spoke of the importance of dependable bus services, saying: “For far too long, the South West has suffered from unreliable services, with buses delayed or not turning up at all. This funding kickstarts a bus revolution to end the postcode lottery of services, drive economic growth, and ensure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.”

The funding is part of a broader £955 million nationwide investment to overhaul the bus network, including extending the bus fare cap. The cap, which limits fares to £3 per journey, will now run until December 31, 2025, saving passengers up to 80% on some routes.

The government has also pledged to introduce a Buses Bill in the current parliamentary session, giving local authorities more control over bus services. This will empower local leaders to create integrated networks tailored to their communities’ needs.

Reliable bus services are seen as essential for connecting towns and hospitals, allowing patients to attend critical appointments. The investment offers affordable travel options and ensuring savings for commuters.

In addition to the £83 million allocated for the South West, the government has committed an extra £200 million through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) programme to improve transport in larger city regions.

“This investment lays the foundation for growth, providing more jobs, better connectivity, and more money in people’s pockets,” Haigh said.