Council receives £2.1m to spend on bus services in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council has been awarded £2.1m by the Department for Transport (DfT) to spend on improving bus services in the county.

The council's Business Plan sets out its mission to have vibrant, well-connected communities, and includes a pledge to improve rural bus links and the extra funding will be used to encourage more people to use buses, as outlined in the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: We're delighted to receive this funding from the government to improve bus services here in Wiltshire.

We are committed to supporting the local economy, leisure and tourism, improving services to support vulnerable and elderly residents, and reducing carbon emissions.

We are currently seeking clarification from DfT on exactly what the funding can be spent on, but we have a range of projects ready to go, with new infrastructure such as signage and bus stops and improving the frequency of bus services.

This additional funding will enable the council to continue to invest in bus services across the county. Buses are vital to connect people in a rural county like ours, and this funding, along with measures such as the Government's recently extended £2 bus fare promotion, will help to keep Wiltshire moving.