Worcestershire Secures £9.3 Million for Bus Service Enhancements

Worcestershire is set to receive £9.3 million in government funds designated for improving its bus network. This financial allocation forms part of a broader initiative aimed at delivering enhanced bus services across England, with the West Midlands region specifically earmarked to receive £88 million. The government stated that this investment represents a record sum for most areas and is intended to bolster popular routes while safeguarding services in rural communities. Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, described the funding as “very much welcome”. Bayliss commented, “As I have previously said, improving bus services is absolutely one of my top priorities and this additional money will enable the council to make a real difference to public transport services throughout the county.” He elaborated, “It will mean we are able to invest properly in our bus improvement plan. This plan includes a wide range of improvements from working with local operators to improve journey times, frequency and reliability to improving infrastructure such as bus shelters and bus stops. We will also look to use this funding to help expand the very successful Worcestershire on Demand service, which currently operates in Malvern and North East Worcestershire, to even more areas.” Harriett Baldwin, the Member of Parliament for West Worcestershire, expressed her hope that the funds would facilitate improvements to bus routes connecting Malvern and Worcester, particularly advocating for the reinstatement of the X43 service. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh remarked: “The value of regular and reliable bus services cannot be understated. For far too long, the West Midlands has been suffering from unreliable services with buses hugely delayed, or not even turning up at all. This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services, drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.”