Staffordshire Buses to Receive Over £5 Million for Improvements

The county of Staffordshire is set to receive over £5 million for enhancements to its bus services in the coming year. The government has allocated £5.26 million to the county for its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). This funding forms part of a broader government program designed to introduce “London-style” bus services throughout England. Mark Deaville, who serves as the county council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, stated the objective of enhancing connectivity and travel options for residents in Staffordshire. However, he indicated that the council is awaiting further details before disclosing how the allocated funds will be utilized. The Bus Service Improvement Plan for Staffordshire outlined proposals such as the refurbishment of bus stations, upgrades to bus stops, and improved connectivity among towns, villages, and railway stations. An additional £5.1 million in revenue funding has been allocated to the county to “stabilise” existing bus services. The majority of this amount was previously announced as part of the Network North transport programme. Since 2017, passenger journeys within Staffordshire have experienced a 44% decline. The full implementation of all proposals designed to enhance transport within the county will necessitate £32 million in revenue funding and £23 million in capital funding. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.