MP welcomes £3bn bus strategy set to benefit 'transport desert' Rother Valley

Rother Valley’s MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a new bus strategy, backed by £3 billion of investment, which will benefit the area.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Alexander Stafford MP said it meant residents could soon enjoy frequent, more reliable and cheaper bus services.

Mr Stafford has been campaigning for improvements to ‘poor’ bus services in ‘transport desert’ Rother Valley since his election, speaking up in Parliament about elderly constituents having to wait ‘for hours’ at stops in the hope of a bus coming along.

The Conservative MP said: “Good bus services can have a transformational role in places like Rother Valley, unlocking job opportunities, boosting businesses and supporting economic growth.

Alexander Stafford MP.Alexander Stafford MP.
Alexander Stafford MP.

“This new National Strategy Bus Strategy, backed by £3 billion, will help make to make this a reality – paving the way for simpler fares, more reliable services, and better connections across every part of the country.

“At the last general election, I stood on a manifesto that promised to level up and improve transport connections across Rother Valley and this boost to our local bus services will help to deliver on that promise.

"With this new investment, I am continuing my campaign for a direct bus route between our two largest towns, Maltby and Dinnington."

The strategy will require Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to work in partnership with bus operators to improve services for passengers in order to be eligible for funding in future.

Councils and operators will be expected to provide simpler single bus fares with daily price caps, more services in the evenings and at the weekends, integrated services and ticketing, easy-to-access information and contactless payments.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Sam Jackson, editor.