Bus operators handed £226m in emergency Covid funding

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Hydrogen is seen as a potential solution for zero carbon heavy transport, such as buses alongside also being pushed as a heating solution
Hydrogen is seen as a potential solution for zero carbon heavy transport, such as buses alongside also being pushed as a heating solution

Bus operators will be granted £226.5m in government support to ensure vital services can continue to run after Covid restrictions are listed.

Ministers today confirmed the new funding package will run from September until April and will be available to operators across England, outside London.

The recovery funding will follow the current £1bn emergency support package, which is due to end next month.

The government said the funding will be the final tranche of Covid-related support provided to the sector.

“Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, helping us get to work, school and to see friends and family,” said roads minister Baroness Vere.

“The recovery funding will ensure vital services continue to run by supporting operators in those initial months, as restrictions are lifted and passengers begin to return in higher numbers.”

Janette Bell, managing director at operator First Bus, welcomed the funding, saying it “will ensure that an effective bus network can be provided for customers as the economy and the communities we serve emerge from the pandemic”.

“It is vital that government continues to work together with us to encourage more people onto buses in order to deliver economic revival, improve air quality and meet the UK’s net zero ambitions,” she added.

The Department for Transport today also said it had received 35 expression of interest applications for its Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (Zebra) scheme, which gives local transport authorities the opportunity to compete for a share of £120m to support the rollout of zero emission buses across England.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Kent County Council, Leicester City Council, Milton Keynes Borough Council, Warrington Borough Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority have been selected under the fast track process to progress to the next stage of the competition. 

The six shortlisted authorities will now develop business cases for investment. Further local transport authorities will be added to the shortlist in due course.