"It is vital that bus services offer value-for-money."
Leicestershire County Council is going to receive a share of a £160m Government funding ‘pot’ to help support the future of public transport.
The council has been awarded £1.78m from first-year Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP Plus) funding.
Councillor Ozzy O'Shea, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "While this is only ‘in year’, short-term funding, it does offer a great opportunity to create more-sustainable services and provide a more attractive offer for communities.
"It’s also very encouraging that the Government is committed to returning the bus sector to a more sustainable financial footing and the extension of the £2 fare cap until the end of October this year, and £2.50 beyond that, and into 2024, is another positive announcement
"Given the fare cap and the value for money offered, I can only encourage people to get out and about and use local services and that will help to revive the market."
The council has made it clear that the funding boost does not mean it will re-instate bus services which have been withdrawn over the past few months.
Councillor O’Shea added: “It is vital that bus services offer value-for-money and, in using this additional money from Government, we need to ensure it is directed to offer greater connectivity for our communities, rather than continuing to subsidise low-value services.”
The 159 bus service between Hinckley and Coalville was scrapped earlier this year as Roberts Travel Group who operated the service had the funding cut from Leicestershire County Council.
Leicestershire County Council subsidised the service by £162,260 a year.
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