Leicestershire and Rutland County Councils have been awarded over £2 million in additional Bus Service Improvement Funding.

As part of the Government's Bus Service Improvement Fund, Leicestershire County Council is set to receive £1,788,514 in funding for 2024/5, and Rutland County Council will receive £253,280 in funding for 2024/5. 

This funding forms a share of a further £80 million provided by the Government as part of the Bus Service Improvement Scheme, helping Councils to improve bus services, lower bus fares and prevent cuts to local routes. The Government's scheme guarantees funding until 31 March 2025. 

Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, said: "This additional funding is fantastic news locally, helping to deliver improved bus services for passengers and support the vulnerable bus routes in our communities. 

"This money will provide a significant boost for our local bus network, on top of the £6.5m Levelling Up Funding for an on-demand bus network, to ensure everyone in our rural communities can easily access our wonderful market towns at a fair price." 

In May, as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan, Leicestershire County Council received £1,788,514 in funding for 2023/4, and Rutland County Council received £253,280 in funding for 2023/4. 

In addition to this funding, as part of Rutland and Melton's successful £23 million Levelling Up Funding £6.5 million will go towards an on-demand rural bus network linking Rutland and Melton's towns.