Labor MP for the West Isle of Wight, Richard Quigleyhas backed the Labor Government’s transformative plans to provide better bus services across the island, with the Local Transport Authority – Isle of Wight Council – set to receive £1.8 million.

The investment was aimed at improving popular routes, protecting rural services and increasing the use of buses for shopping, socializing and getting around. This will help prevent service reductions on risky routes, improve on-time performance and end the current postcode lottery of unreliable services.

A record level of recent investments
Totaling £955 million across England, this funding represents a record level of recent investment in bus improvements in the majority of areas, alongside a once-in-a-generation reform to provide better services in every corner of the country.

Under the Conservatives, bus services in areas of England outside London have collapsed, with thousands of bus services cut and almost 300 million fewer miles traveled by buses per year since 2010. In the Across the island alone, bus kilometers have decreased by 28%. As part of this investment, the way funding is allocated has been reformed.

Needs-based funding allocations
The reforms will allocate funds based on need and end the Conservatives’ costly competitive bidding system, which wastes resources and delays decisions.

The funding announcement is part of the Government’s plans to deliver the biggest overhaul of the country’s bus services in a generation and end four decades of failed deregulation.

Take Back Control
The Labor Government is extending the power to take back control of local bus services to every community and speeding up the process of public control of buses by removing barriers to franchising and public ownership of buses.

The funding announcement is the latest step in the Government’s journey to better buses, with a new Bus Bill set to be presented to Parliament in the coming months.

Quigley: This new government has a plan to provide better buses across the country,
Commenting on the announcement, Richard Quigley MP said:

“I am delighted that the Transport Secretary has confirmed £1.8 million in funding for new buses across the island.

“People in the West Isle of Wight and across the island want reliable and more frequent bus services after a decade of neglect under the Conservatives.

“This new government has a plan to deliver better buses across the country, and this funding increase is another crucial step in that journey.

Haigh: End bus service postcode lottery
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:

“Buses are the lifeblood of communities, but the system is broken. Too often, passengers have to wait hours for buses that don’t show up – and some have been cut off entirely.

“That’s why we’re reforming funding to deliver better buses across the country and end the bus service postcode lottery. And that’s why we’re providing more than £1 billion of funding to keep fares low, protect local routes and provide more reliable services.

“This is part of our broader plan to put passengers first and empower every community to take back control of their bus services through franchises or public ownership.

“By providing better buses, we will ensure people have adequate access to jobs and opportunities, which will drive economic growth in every corner of the country. »

News shared by Richard Quigley’s office. Ed