Millions of passengers in Yorkshire and the Humber are set to benefit from faster, cheaper and more reliable buses after the Government announces a £231.9 million boost for services and infrastructure.

Multi-year funding will give councils the freedom to spend their allocations in whatever way they see fit, allowing local authorities to run schemes like North Lincolnshire’s free bus travel for foster carers and their children.

For years local authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber have been held back from making long-term investments, but multi-year settlements will finally give the much-needed certainty to develop and drive forward plans which cater to the needs of their communities.

This landmark funding follows the Bus Services Act becoming law in October, which for the first time gave local authorities the power to run local services how they see fit and provides greater protection to socially necessary routes.

After years of decline, better buses are finally on the way. Our £3 billion 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.

This is part of our wider plan to make public transport cheaper across the country – we've frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years and we’re building Great British Railways to deliver better value for passengers.

Whether it's the bus to work, the train to see family, or getting to a hospital appointment, affordable transport is essential to bearing down on the cost of living and growing our economy.

The allocations bring together various bus funding streams into one source. Millions in funding will be allocated to local authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber every single year up to 2028/29 and can be spent however they want.

It means local leaders rather than Whitehall will decide how bus services should be run, continuing the Government’s commitment to ensuring services are run for people, not profit.

Lydia Horbury CEO 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. We particularly welcome the flexibility for authorities to prioritise what matters most to passengers, whether that’s lower fares, more frequent services, zero-emission buses or safer, more accessible infrastructure. To deliver meaningful change, it’s vital that this funding translates into buses that are reliable, inclusive and designed around the needs of every passenger. We look forward to working with local authorities and operators to help make that a reality.”

The announcement is part of the Government's wider commitment to making public transport cheaper and more reliable, bearing down on the cost of living for working people.

Freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years will save commuters on more expensive routes more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash.

The Government is also reforming the railways through Great British Railways, which will bring fares and ticketing into the 21st century with tap in tap out and digital ticketing, delivering better value for money for passengers.