“A renewed emphasis on supporting improving public transport as part of the Levelling Up White Paper is important and councils will be seeking more clarity on what this will mean in practice and how this will be funded so they can plan for the future."
Commenting on the announcement in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper of proposed improvements to bus networks, Cllr David Renard, Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association said:
“Councils across the country are working with local operators to continue to deliver lifeline bus services despite the pressures of the pandemic. Greater usage of public transport helps to alleviate congestion and reduce harmful emissions in communities.
“A renewed emphasis on supporting improving public transport as part of the Levelling Up White Paper is important and councils will be seeking more clarity on what this will mean in practice and how this will be funded so they can plan for the future.
“Councils want to work with government to make sure every community is able to access a local bus service. We would urge government to also plug the £700 million annual funding gap councils faced before the pandemic in providing the concessionary fares scheme, which would help to protect local routes and reverse the decline in bus services.”