Councillors have put forward a £113million funding bid as part of plans to boost bus services across the region.
Staffordshire County Council will request the money from the Department for Transport.
If successful it will include:
- £33million to introduce zero emission vehicles
- £7.5million to identify and remedy ‘hot spots’ that delay services
- £21million for better quality bus shelters with real-time information
- £23million for improvements at town centre interchanges
- £1million for improved ticketing technology
Cllr David Williams, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said:
“Government has urged us to submit ambitious ideas to invest in the future of post-pandemic public transport.
“There is an opportunity here to help modernise bus fleets, improve bus stops and interchanges to make them more comfortable and provide better information and encourage people to use their local services more often.”
Cllr David Williams, Staffordshire County Council
Funding of around £16.5million is also wanted to consolidate current support for the bus industry from Government which is due to end, while money is also wanted to support new evening and weekend routes which will have to become commercially independent by the time the subsidy finishes.
There is also a desire for funding to to support a subsidised fare scheme for younger passengers.
“Reliable, regular bus services can support a town centre’s retail and leisure economy, help people get to work, or provide more choice for students deciding where to study.
“At the same time investment in greener bus fleets can make a huge difference to carbon reduction and air quality by introducing new technology and encouraging people to leave their cars at home.
“If Government delivers we will work closely with the operators to improve infrastructure and encourage them to develop ideas which become self-sustaining.”
Cllr David Williams, Staffordshire County Council
With All this Money to Spend . I Hope to see Busses in Hammerwich. There’ are lots of Older Residents that live Here and can’t Drive. So Please Can you Do Something. Mrs Susan Pinnock .🤗
The 31 city circular has recently introduced a revised timetable now only 6 buses on a Saturday with the last one leaving the bus station at 3.45pm. Not helpful if you do an afternoon shop. It would have been helpful if the change could have been better advertised locally.