South Shropshire MP, Philip Dunne, has welcomed £1.5m of funding from the government to improve local bus services.  

The funding forms part of a £300million bus package, and can be used to maintain existing service levels or to deliver targeted initiatives to encourage bus use. The Government has now invested over £3.5billion since 2020 to protect and improve bus services while keeping bus fares low. 

The rules around Bus Service Improvement Plan funding have recently been amended to allow local authorities to use this investment to support bus services at risk of being cut, so that the socially necessary services on which local people rely can be protected. 

Shropshire Council will receive £1,490,492 for 2024/25 to support delivery of their Bus Service Improvement Plan. 

Mr Dunne said:

“This £1.5m from the government to support bus services in Shropshire is extremely welcome, and can be used to support routes and encourage bus use locally.  

“I have worked with Shropshire Council to support bids for greater bus funding from central government, so I am pleased we have had some success through the Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.”