Hundreds of bus routes saved at 11th hour as Tories extend funding by six months

Hundreds of vital bus routes were saved at the 11th hour today as Tory ministers extended funding by six months.

Regional leaders had warned a “cliff-edge” deadline was looming this week for firms to end services before a post-Covid Bus Recovery Grant ran out on October 5.

But funds have now been extended again for six months to March 2023, costing £130million, in a victory for northern mayors.

West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin had warned 26 routes in her area faced being axed while another 25 would run no buses after 7pm.

The Labour politician said: “Government inaction would have decimated vital bus services and pushed people onto more expensive forms of transport, such as taxis, during the cost of living crisis.

“I’m delighted that my colleagues across the North joined my push for action. We can be stronger together than the sum of our parts.”

A spokesman for the Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents operators, welcomed the extension which would allow “reliable and affordable” services to continue short-term.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This funding will ensure millions across the country can continue to use vital bus services, and brings the total we’ve provided to the sector throughout the pandemic to almost £2billion.

“At a time when people are worried about rising costs, it’s more important than ever we save these bus routes for the millions who rely on them for work, school and shopping.”

Earlier this week Mr Shapps called for bus fares to be capped at £2 per journey to provide “concrete help” to the most vulnerable people – a policy also being driven by Ms Brabin.

He wants the limit to come into force this autumn and run for 12 months.

But the measure is not expected to become Government policy before the end of Boris Johnson’s premiership and he could be replaced as Transport Secretary.