Over the last three years the Kickstart programme has helped councils and bus operators introduce 43 new or enhanced bus services. This resulted in increases in local bus use and improved the quality of bus services for local communities. For example:
- Cambridgeshire County Council was awarded nearly £2.5 million to implement long-term sustainable transport solutions for a new area of housing in Cambridgeshire (47,000 new dwellings). The scheme supported new routes and services and provided new bus infrastructure.
- Essex County Council received nearly £550,000 to provide a new, quality, branded service linking Canvey Island with Chelmsford (the County Town and transport hub), via the London railhead at Benfleet. It provides an essential link for local residents to essential services unavailable in their own vicinity, and connects them to rail services to London and the rest of the country.
Ruth Kelly said:
"If we are to encourage more people to leave their car at home we have to give them more choice over how they travel.
"Kickstart has already made a real difference, giving people reliable, accessible, modern and comfortable buses and linking them to vital local services like hospitals, employment, schools or colleges and leisure facilities.
"That is why I am today announcing another £25 million for the Kickstart Programme, to further improve bus services in communities across England." Councils will soon be invited to submit applications for the programme demonstrating how they will work in partnership with bus operators to develop long-term and viable schemes.
