Philip Dunne MP has welcomed £1.84m investment in bus services across Shropshire, thanks to savings from HS2.

The investment forms the first part of a £1 billion investment into bus services from Network North – using savings from HS2 to improve more journeys for more people.

While it is up to local authorities in partnership with operators to decide how best to use the funding, the new funding for next year is enough to support up to 25 million miles of new bus services across the North and Midlands, helping local authorities provide more regular and reliable services or cheaper fares delivered through fare initiatives and ticket price caps.

This funding comes on top of the Government’s unprecedented investment of over £3.5 billion for the bus sector since March 2020 to support its recovery from the pandemic, drive improvements to local bus services and encourage more use of buses.

The Government have also announced the £2 bus fare cap is extended across the country from next week until 31st December 2024.

Funding for community schemes, through Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), is also being given to Severn Hospice and Friendly Bus, which serves Broseley and Much Wenlock.  The BSOG is a discretionary grant paid to operators of eligible local bus services to help them recover some of their fuel costs. The amount each bus operator receives is based on the amount of fuel they use.

Mr Dunne said:

“The decision to scrap the second leg of HS2 was not an easy one, but here we are already seeing the effects – more money redirected towards localised public transport schemes, including bus services in Shropshire.

“A further £1.8m for next year, and direct support to both Severn Hospice and the Friendly Bus, serving Broseley and Much Wenlock, is very welcome news and will help local residents get about using public transport.”