“This funding is good news for local communities and will be most effective when it is directed through councils so that they can commission the essential transport services that many people rely on."
Responding to the Transport Secretary’s £283 million funding announcement to protect and increase transport services, Cllr David Renard, the LGA’s Environment spokesman, said:
“This funding is good news for local communities and will be most effective when it is directed through councils so that they can commission the essential transport services that many people rely on.
“Despite the problems posed by the coronavirus pandemic, councils continue to work with partners to deliver transport services for key workers and their communities.
“Going forward, we have an opportunity to rethink councils’ role in providing bus services. Giving councils long-term, devolved infrastructure and public transport budgets would allow them to further demonstrate how they can deliver widespread improvements and efficiencies to local transport services.”