Bus Recovery Grant Extended to March 2023

[Eyersey468]

The bus recovery grant has had another extension to March 2023 despite the authorities previously saying the extension to October 2022 would be the last.

Bus Recovery Grant in England extended into 2023 - routeone

Bus Recovery Grant support in England has been extended to the end of March 2023 after DfT allocated a further £130m to the mechanism.

www.route-one.net

Bus Recovery Grant (BRG) support in England has been extended to the end of March 2023 after the Department for Transport (DfT) allocated a further £130m to the mechanism.

BRG had previously been scheduled to end on 4 October, which had raised widespread concerns of service reductions and withdrawals.

DfT had been adamant that no further revenue support would be provided beyond then, but in announcing the extension into 2023 it says that the further money will ensure that “services keep running and millions of passengers can continue using affordable transport.” The Department adds that the cost-of-living crisis is a further factor in its decision.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has welcomed the extension. A spokesperson says: “Today’s announcement will help bus operators and local authority (LA) partners to balance a network of reliable and affordable services in the short-term as bus networks adapt to new travel patterns.

“For the longer term, we will continue to work closely with central government and LAs to encourage existing and new passengers to get on board the country’s buses, ensuring that they are provided with the best possible service.”

Some operators in England have already registered service reductions ahead of the previous 4 October end date for BRG. It remains to be seen how many of those may be rescinded in view of the latest announcement, but terms and conditions of the mechanism’s current iteration permitted a reduction of service levels to 80% of the 2019 baseline from June, subject to LA agreement.

 

[bluenoxid]

It will depend on passenger numbers over the next the next six months but I can see very nervous conservative councillors up for election in 2023 lobbying for an extension if similar cuts are put forward for implementation at the beginning of April.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Surely it would be better to let services be cut and direct funding at replacing services to cover the gaps. Can't see much of a change within 6 months, when this will have to be done anyway?

Many companies are struggling to operate all services, and need to reduce the number of services they operate, but are reluctant to do so whilst recieving grant money. This results in services being randomly dropped,an unreliable service and passenger numbers to decline as a result.

A pre COVID service may not be required everywhere as travel patterns have changed. BSI plans seemed a positive step, but not alot seems to have come from many. The current solution seems to be to just throw money at it and hope it fixes itself?

I appreciate it's not the same in every area, or for all companies, as some are doing a much better job than others. The national one shoe fits all approach just isn't working though.

 

[Typhoon]

It will depend on passenger numbers over the next the next six months but I can see very nervous conservative councillors up for election in 2023 lobbying for an extension if similar cuts are put forward for implementation at the beginning of April.

That is why it is best to get rid now. It will largely be forgotten next May (energy costs, food prices). Maybe save one service at reduced frequency to say 'we tried'.