£124m announced for south east buses

Funding of £124m is being allocated to support buses into 2026 in the south east of England. The funding allocation was launched by the Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, during a visit to Aldershot.

Areas like Kent, Milton Keynes, and Slough are among those receiving funding to improve buses for passengers at a level that is unprecedented in recent years.

Every region in England is due to receive funding, but there is particular focus on providing support for areas which have been historically underserved.

The investment has been designated to enhance popular routes, protect rural services and increase bus use for shopping, socialising and commuting. It is intended to prevent service reductions on at-risk routes and improve punctuality across England.

The way funding is allocated has been reformed, meaning it will be allocated based on place need, levels of deprivation and population. This is intended to stop areas competing for funding as in previous years.

The government says its reformed funding settlement marks a departure from what it calls a complicated and inconsistent funding regime, which it says will give bus providers the certainty they have long been calling for.

Regional funding allocations for local transport authorities in the South East: