Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed £876,873 of Conservative Government funding to support bus passengers across Cumbria.
This includes the commitment to restore the afternoon service from Penrith to North Lakes School - which Dr Hudson helped secure following his visit to meet teachers and pupils. Having raised the issue of parents and young children having to walk several miles from school every day; Dr Hudson was delighted to deliver this win for local people.
£464,743 has been awarded to Cumberland Council and £412,130 to Westmorland and Furness Council, as part of the £80 million Bus Services Improvement Plan 2024-25 fund, of which there have been three rounds – building on the £80 million invested in 2023-24 and £1 billion invested in 2022.
To help people with the cost of living and save on everyday travel costs, the Conservative Government has also invested £200 million to extend the bus fare cap, with single bus tickets capped at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024.
The £2 fare cap has cut travel costs, particularly in rural areas, where buses are crucial for so many people to get around, with the average fare dropping by 10.8 per cent in rural and non-metropolitan parts of England.
The measures take total Conservative Government support to protect and improve bus services while keeping fares low to £3.5 billion since 2020.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“I have campaigned tirelessly for local bus funding and really welcome that our Conservative Government has listened and is delivering for our rural areas. I’ve made no secret of the connectivity challenges facing people across rural Cumbria; that is why the Conservative Government has invested £3.5 billion in bus services since 2020, including an extra £876,873 for services across the county.
“This funding will protect essential services and enhance transport connections, supporting people to get where they need to go with public transport they can rely on.
"I am particularly delighted to have secured funding for the Penrith to North Lakes School which Stagecoach and the Council had initially cut. Now parents and young children can easily access vital primary education without walking long distances every morning and night. I know from parents and teachers that this is a huge win for the people of Penrith.
“Our next focus now need to be getting young people to education or training without their families being burdened with undue costs. I have written to both Councils and will continue to pursue this vital issue for the future of young people in the county.”
Roads Minister Richard Holden added:
“Buses are the most popular form of public transport and millions of people across the country from the Tees Valley to Torbay rely on their local service to get to work, attend medical appointments and see loved ones.
“We are providing a further £80 million to help local authorities improve and protect essential services, delivering for local communities across the country by enhancing transport connections, supporting passengers and growing the economy.”
