Derek Thomas MP welcomes the Government investment of £1,969,162 in bus services in Cornwall supporting passengers across West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
This funding means people across the Cornwall have benefitted from a total of £1,969,162 funding from the Conservative Government to support bus services since 2022.
To help people with the cost of living and save on everyday travel costs, the Government have also invested £200 million to extend the bus fare cap, with single bus tickets capped at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024.
The £2 fare cap has cut travel costs, particularly in rural areas, where buses are crucial for so many people to get around, with the average fare dropping by 10.8 per cent in rural parts of England.
Commenting, Derek Thomas said:
“Many people rely on bus services across West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to get to work or to see family and friends.
“This funding should protect essential services and enhance transport connections, supporting people to get where they need to go with public transport they can rely on. However, in light of recent conversations I have had with constituents there are clearly some frustrations around a number of services, and I will be working to address these issues to make sure people are able to make even better use of the bus services.”
“I am particularly pleased to have secured the extension of the fare cap at £2.50 until 30th November 2024. As Chairman of the Rural Services All Party Group I have worked with Richard Stevens, CEO of Transport for Cornwall and the CEO of First Bus and had a number of discussions with Ministers to ensure that bus companies received support to get passengers back on our buses and avoided the loss of bus routes that serve rural Cornwall."
