21/01/2004

Rural bus projects gain £20m in funding

A total of £20.3 million is to be awarded to 42 bus projects in rural areas, Transport Minister Tony McNulty announced today.

The funding, awarded following the 2003 Rural Bus Challenge competition, will go to a wide range of projects throughout rural England, helping to improve transport choice and access to essential services and facilities, the government said.

Among the schemes to win funding were the Essex Tendering Community Transport (£387,102), the Gloucester Taxi Link (£730,900) and the Lincolnshire Interconnect (£1,105,000).

Mr McNulty said: "Today's £20 million Rural Bus Challenge funding will bring real benefits to many rural communities which are currently not well served by public transport.

"The awards also show our continuing commitment to supporting community transport organisations and the valuable role that they play in meeting local transport needs and tackling social exclusion."

Today's announcement follows the allocation last week of £19.6 million for 40 projects in urban areas successful in the Urban Bus Challenge and the announcement yesterday of changes to enable "more flexible bus services" for local communities.

It also follows last month's Local Transport Plan settlement in which major bus schemes in Northampton, West Yorkshire, Manchester, Coventry, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire worth £235 million were approved.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 January 2015
Funding Cut For Bus Services In England And Wales
Funding for buses has been cut for half of local authorities in England and Wales. Since 2010, local authority funding for bus service has been slashed by 15 per cent (£44m) with more than 2000 routes being reduced or withdrawn entirely, according to research by Campaign for Better Transport.
10 September 2015
Bus Operators To Share Clean Bus Technology Funds
Funding is being offered to bus operators across England to equip buses with emission cutting technology and offer passengers better journeys.
11 February 2015
London Bus Drivers Postpone Strike Action
Planned strike action by London bus drivers has been postponed as an "act of goodwill". The strike action was due to take place on Friday and Monday, with drivers walking out across the city's 18 bus companies. Unite the union has called on the bus companies to accept an invitation for talks.
11 August 2011
Bus Passengers Face Fare Rises Due To Spending Cuts
Bus passengers are facing fare rises and cuts to services as a result of Government spending cuts, a group of MPs has warned. A report published by the Transport Select Committee found that 70% of councils have reduced their funding for bus services, which has affected rural routes and resulted in above inflation fare rises.
21 January 2005
BMA claims rural healthcare is being neglected
The British Medical Association (BMA) has claimed that rural healthcare is being neglected. The report, 'Healthcare In A Rural Setting', says that many health policies created for urban areas are not suitable for rural ones.