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:
- Tyne and Wear councils have established a new bus route into Newcastle upon Tyne. This links people to major employers and popular retail facilities and already carries in excess of 2,000 passengers a day. (Kickstart award £565,000)
- Lancashire County Council has reduced social exclusion and improved access to local colleges, the local hospital, several leisure facilities and supermarkets by offering new, round the clock services across Chorley. (Kickstart award: £802,618)
- Kent County Council has connected deprived areas to the regional centre of Canterbury. The new circular service offers buses every ten minutes and the number of passengers using it has exceeded all expectations, with new vehicles purchased to match demand. (Kickstart award: £447,000)
Other North East schemes include:
- Stockton-on-Tees received over £720,000 in funding to the Council for the Arriva North East MIBus. This was a new, high quality service linking Stockton, Ingleby Barwick and Middlesborough, providing access to employment and healthcare. Scheme includes new waiting facilities, CCTV, real time information and new low floor buses.
- Northumberland County Council received £295,000 to fund the Plus 518 service, which delivers a high frequency, reliable service every 15 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle upon Tyne and other areas. The new route improves access to shopping centres and major employers, such as Northumberland County, Castle Morpeth Borough and Newcastle City Councils and hospitals in Morpeth and Newcastle.
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.
