Bassetlaw set to benefit from slice of £3 billion bus funding boost

The Government’s new National Bus Strategy will see Nottinghamshire County Council work in partnership with bus operators to improve services and their access to future funding.

Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, along with the rural western areas of Rushcliffe and the Ladybrook, Oak Tree and Berry Hill housing estates in Mansfield will benefit from a share of £1,497,000 million.

Councillor John Cottee, chairman of the Communities and Place Committee for Nottinghamshire County Council said: “This week has provided some great news for Nottinghamshire residents.

"We welcomed the announcement of the National Bus strategy on Monday by the Prime Minister and we will work with local bus operators and adjoining Local Authorities to improve local bus services so people can access work, training, healthcare, shopping and leisure opportunities; as well as helping tackle congestion, air quality and climate change.”

It is hoped the strategy will improve frequency and reliability of services and ultimately reduce costs to entice more people to ditch their cars and use public transport.

Councils and operators will be expected to provide simpler, single fares with price caps to enable passengers to use the bus multiple times a day without facing mounting costs.

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Transport bosses say the money will be used to provide more evening and weekend services, integrated services and ticketing and all buses should also be able to accept contactless payments as part of the strategy.

Councils and operators who meet the requirements will continue to receive around £100 million a month emergency Covid funding or any future funds from the £3 billion investment.

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