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Bus funding agreed at £28m until 2030 as government called out


Bus funding agreed at £28m until 2030 as government called out

More than £28m of funding has been agreed to for Oxfordshire's buses.

The Government has committed £28,776,649 until 2030, of which £15,396,867 is revenue over three years and £13,379,782 is capital over four years.

Oxfordshire County Council has been given the "freedom" to spend its allocated money in whatever way it sees fit, the Labour Government said.

But the council's cabinet member for transport Andrew Gant has said it isn't 'new money' for extra bus services.

Andrew Gant (Image: Contributed)

Mr Gant said: "While we welcome this continued investment in buses and the stability that longer term funding offers, it must be noted that this doesn't represent 'new money' for additional Oxfordshire bus services.

"This administration will continue to prioritise supporting much-needed bus services, infrastructure upgrades, and initiatives that make public transport more accessible, reliable, and attractive for Oxfordshire's residents and visitors alike, above and beyond what the government can provide."

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The bus grant allocation represents a continuation of existing funding streams.

There is in fact a small increase in revenue funding and a decrease in capital funding from that received for 2025/26.

The capital allocation will be for further improvements to infrastructure across Oxfordshire.

Mr Gant added that the Lib Dem administration will "continue to prioritise supporting much-needed bus services, infrastructure upgrade and initiatives above and beyond what the Government can provide".

He noted the 159 all-new zero-emissions buses, new routes and improved timetables.

"All this is in the context of the Labour Government hiking the fare cap by 50 per cent and, as usual, woefully underfunding the services they claim to want and rely on us to deliver," he said.

"Our record shows we will not let the residents of Oxfordshire suffer from Labour's failings."

Heidi Alexander

The money is part of a £3bn so-called "boost" for bus services across the country by the government, which says the money will give councils "long-term certainty" on bus funding.

Labour's transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: "After years of decline, better buses are finally on the way.

"Our £3bn investment will give local authorities the long-term funding they need to deliver lower fares, more frequent services and the reliable transport that communities depend on.

"We've already extended the £3 bus fare cap to help people with their everyday journeys and now we're backing this with the funding councils need to transform their local services."

Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, urged councils to "get moving and invest" in more and faster buses.

"Operators stand ready to work closely with authorities across the country to turn this funding into real improvements for the communities we serve," he said.

Lydia Horbury, chief executive of charity Bus Users UK, said: "Passengers have faced years of cuts and uncertainty, so long-term funding for buses is extremely welcome.

"Giving local authorities the stability to plan ahead and invest in the services their communities rely on is essential if we're to reverse decline and rebuild confidence in bus travel."

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