Essex to get 'London-style' bus services to protect 'lifeline routes' in huge £17m boost

Bus services across Essex will be protected after the Government vowed to plough £18m to keep lifeline routes running. The seven-figure investment is to improve services in the county and deliver 'London-style' services.

Central Government is investing nearly £1 billion to support bus services nationally until 2026. More than £80m will be shared among local authorities to improve local services, including £17.8m heading to Essex County Council.

Government officials say the "unprecedented" funding is intended to support areas that have been "historically underserved". The investment has been designated to enhance popular routes, protect rural services and increase bus use for shopping, socialising and commuting, they added.

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It will prevent service reductions on at-risk routes and improve punctuality across England, to bring an end to the current postcode lottery of unreliable services. It represents a record level of recent investment for bus improvements for the majority of areas, alongside once-in-a-generation reform to deliver London-style bus services to every corner of the country.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh visited Harlow bus station on Monday (November 18) to launch the funding. They said: "The value of regular and reliable bus services cannot be understated.

"For far too long, the East of England has been suffering from unreliable services with buses hugely delayed, or not even turning up at all. This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services, drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.

"We’ve already committed over £150million to extend the bus fare cap and keep fares low and this nearly £1billion of further funding will mean local routes are protected, reliability is improved and the passenger is put first."

The funding comes after the Government extended the bus fare cap to December 2025 but increased it from £2 to £3.