Govt allocates £101m to bus upgrades

Date: 26/3/2012

The government is increasing the number of eco-friendly buses in the UK.

A total of £101 million has been approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) to boost services up and down the country.

While £31 million will be spent on 439 low-carbon vehicles as part of the Green Bus Fund, £70 million will be given to 24 local authorities to improve partnerships with bus companies and encourage growth.

Each will receive up to £5 million and will use the money to upgrade bus shelters, introduce multi-operator tickets and adopt special bus traffic lights.

It is hoped the changes will increase passenger numbers, as well as reduce congestion and ensure old services are upgraded.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "This funding means a better deal for passengers and encourages more people to travel by bus."

This comes after the DfT recently announced it has given final approval on a new £11 million transport interchange in Rochdale, which will see the current bus station replaced - a move that should improve passenger safety.

Posted by Nick Anderson