County Councillor for Gartree
Grant Funding for Public Transport
New funding allocations for local transport authorities to provide bus service improvements were announced on 19 November 2024 for the 2025/26 financial year.
The allocations for distribution of the fund have been determined using a bespoke formula based on need rather than competition. Leicestershire County Council has been awarded a total of £7,619,434 for revenue and capital funding. The conditions of the grant and detail around the funding is anticipated to be released by the Department for Transport (DfT) soon.
This is in addition to the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding allocations the Council has already received for 2023/24 and 2024/25.
The Council is now liaising closely with the DfT on the spend profile for this new and the existing funding, so it can maximise the benefits and realise its BSIP ambitions for an enhanced passenger transport network across Leicestershire for the longer term.
The BSIP funding received to date has enabled the Council to maintain its existing supported passenger transport network while it designs and develops a new and improved supported network for the longer term.
The funding has also been used to run various bus promotional campaigns such as the ‘Easter under 16’, ‘Summer by bus’ and ‘Autumn Saturday free’ travel schemes aimed at incentivising and increasing patronage.
Through its Enhanced Partnership with bus operators, a new and exciting Leicestershire Buses branding has been created, which has given an identity to Leicestershire’s network and will provide an overarching strapline for further promotional campaigns and growing patronage on the network.
Going forward, the BSIP funding, topped up by this new funding allocation, will see the implementation and roll out of the newly designed supported network that enhances access and journey choice for passengers, including the expansion of Digital Demand Responsive Transport across Leicestershire.
The funding will also be used to:
- Showcase the new and existing network through continued promotional campaigns.
- Continue to promote bus travel through incentives (fare discounts), campaigns (targeted youth promotions), or encompassing local events or attractions.
- Develop a longer term youth travel offer.
- Collaborate on and enhance cross-boundary routes.
- Design and implement capital works such as hubs or pinch point improvements.
- Trial services, and assess their viability for the longer term.
- Continue to work with bus operators to further support the commercial network short term to achieve longer term affordability, including pump-priming within de-minimis limits.
This funding provides a real opportunity for the Council to realise its BSIP ambitions.
However, it should be noted that without a commitment from the DfT to a multi-year settlement, the Council could still face a cliff-edge in funding in 2026/27 or 2027/28 which may mean bus services or fares subsidies would need to be withdrawn.
The Kibworths are well served for commercial buses during weekdays, but these reduce greatly for evenings and weekends.
It would be good if later regular night bus services, to and from Leicester and Market Harborough, could be provided.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Seasonal Greetings from Kibworth Fire Station!
