BCP bus services given 'degree of certainty' after cash boost

Neighbouring Dorset Council area will be given £3.8million, bringing the total investment in the county’s bus services to £9.83million. 

Transport secretary Louise Haigh said the grant will “empower councils to take back control of services and deliver the bus revolution”. 

Morebus’ managing director Andrew Wickham said the Poole-based firm funds the majority of its services and the money gives a “degree of certainty” for the coming year. 

He said Morebus and BCP Council will work together to find new ways to entice large numbers of residents out of cars and onto buses.  

Morebus (Image: Paula Good)

“Our efforts are bearing fruit - with passenger journeys continuing to rise in the years since the Covid pandemic,” Mr Wickham said.  

“I am not yet fully aware of the details within the government’s latest announcement on funding.  

“However, I believe this to be an excellent opportunity to place bus at the forefront of sustainable travel - complementing the work we and BCP Council are already doing, to provide vital links within our towns and urban areas and the more rural communities across our region.   

“I’m looking forward to working with the council further on innovative new ways to increase bus use and lower congestion - including bus priority measures that have the potential to cut journey times significantly.” 

Andy Hadley, cabinet member who takes care of public transport, said the money is "very welcome".

He added: “Working with our valued partners at Morebus, this round of funding will further enhance our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and complements the council’s Transforming Travel programme which promotes greener, healthier and better-connected travel.

“BSIP success so far includes enhanced frequencies of Services 13 (Bournemouth- Wimborne) and 18 (Broadstone/Canford Heath- Bournemouth) which have resulted in an additional 500,000 journeys by bus. Passengers are also benefitting from electronic information displays installed at Poole Bus Station, new bus shelters and CCTV for added security at 170 stops.

“We continue to work with bus providers on how we can get the most from our Department for Transport BSIP grants.

“Future developments will include a new bus priority route from Bournemouth station to the town centre, plus improvements to stops in Christchurch town centre, and other key pinch points.

“We recognise the crucial role buses play in the lives of residents and their significance in offering an alternative to private car use and reducing carbon emissions and congestion.”

The transport secretary said: “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.” 

The recent autumn budget saw Labour scrap the £2 fare cap for single journeys, upping it to £3 from next year.

But the government said the £1billion nationwide will ensure that lifeline services between towns and hospitals can continue transporting patients to vital appointments.

Alison Edwards, director of policy at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “It is encouraging to see that the funding will be shared across every English region.

"Bus operators look forward to working with local authorities on plans to speed up services, improve coordination and enhance frequencies.

“Bus passengers deserve a fair funding deal. Every pound of public money invested in buses delivers a return of more than £4 in benefits to the environment, to public health and to communities.”