Midlands buses to get £181 million boost from Transport Secretary

The money comes as part of a £1 billion scheme to deliver London-style buses nationwide Credit: PA

Bus services in the Midlands will see a £181 million boost under plans confirmed by the Transport Secretary to "end the bus postcode lottery."

The extra funding will be given to councils across the region, in a bid to target areas where bus services have historically been poorer.

The government says it's part of a £1 billion pound scheme to keep bus fares low across the country.

This comes less than a month after plans to raise the single bus fare cap from £2 to £3 were announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Budget.

The West Midlands will receive £100 million, with the East Midlands receiving £81 million.

Louise Haigh said the government is "determined to deliver better buses." Credit: PA

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: "The value of regular and reliable bus services cannot be understated.

"For far too long, the Midlands has been suffering from unreliable services with buses hugely delayed, or not even turning up at all.

"This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services, drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.

"This will mean local routes are protected, reliability is improved and the passenger is put first."

In the West Midlands, the £100 million will be divided by local authority as follows:

  • Herefordshire Council: £3,257,185

  • Shropshire Council: £4,471,790

  • Staffordshire County Council: £11,155,221

  • Stoke-on-Trent: £9,898,338

  • Telford and Wrekin Council: £3,487,443

  • Warwickshire County Council: £8,762,351

  • West Midlands Combined Authority: £49,983,869

  • Worcestershire County Council: £9,389,437

In the East Midlands, the £81 million will be divided by local authority as follows:

  • East Midlands Combined Authority: £40,580,499

  • Leicester County Council: £9,453,592

  • Leicestershire County Council: £8,154,155

  • Lincolnshire County Council: £11,876,716

  • North Northamptonshire Council: £5,203,890

  • Rutland County Council: £628,681

  • West Northamptonshire Council: £5,428,927

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