The Department for Transport joins bus companies across the country to support #loveyourbus day

Major companies across England are today (Friday, 17 May 2019) highlighting the important role buses play in communities as part of #loveyourbus day.

The Department for Transport is joining bus companies across the country to support the initiative, which showcases operators’ best practice to encourage more people to travel by bus.

Buses Minister Nusrat Ghani has also written to local authorities and companies today to highlight good work across the country as well as reminding them of the powers they have to take greater control of their area’s bus services, such as franchising or enhanced partnerships.

Buses Minister Nusrat Ghani said:

Buses are the most popular form of public transport and play a vital role in communities.

Today is about celebrating the many success stories of rising passenger numbers to inspire further growth in the future – right across the country.

Areas which have seen passenger numbers rise between 2009 and 2018 are Bristol (50%), South Gloucestershire (36%), Reading (31%), Central Bedfordshire (27%), Poole (38%) and Brighton (21%).

The government continues to look at ways to increase bus patronage and has given additional power to local authorities, through the Bus Services Act, to set fares, routes and timetables to give passengers the service they deserve.

Each year the government pays £250 million to support bus services in addition to the £1 billion spent on providing older and disabled people free travel through the bus pass scheme.