Considered – A
report of the Corporate Director for Environment seeking acceptance of a Bus Service
Improvement Plan (BSIP+) grant totalling £2,927,376 from the Department for Transport,
broken down into two equal allocations of £1,463,688 for 2023/24 and 2024/25.
Councillor Keane Duncan introduced the report and drew attention to previous
concerns about the sustainability of some bus services following a decline in passenger
numbers as a result of the pandemic, leaving 79 routes at risk. He went on to confirm that as a result of the
Authority’s action plan and close working with bus operators, the outlook was
now much more positive, with no service having been lost due to being
commercial unviable. He acknowledged the
hard work of the passenger transport team and noted the previous £3.9m support from
DfT that had proved to be a lifeline to services. He also noted the popularity of the £2 bus
fare cap which had helped maintain and build on existing service levels.
Councillor Paul Haslam welcomed the funding but drew attention to the loss
of a bus service in Bilton and expressed hope that the further funding could be
used to improve the local bus services in the Bilton area.
The Executive welcomed the additional funding, and it was
Resolved – That the grant of £2.93m be accepted