Redditch is set to benefit from a £1.4 million government funding boost for local bus services.

The funding, which comes from the £80 million Bus Services Improvement Plan 2024 to 2025, means people from across Worcestershire have benefitted from a total of £2,859,372 worth of funding to support bus service since 2022.

The news follows a further £140 million investment that was announced in May from the extension of the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG). This has taken the total funding for bus services in England to £300 million going into 2025.

MP for Redditch, Rachel Maclean, said: “I know buses connect our communities by getting people to work, taking our kids to school and making sure patients can get to doctor appointments.

“These services are vital, and the government recognises that too, which is why we have been able to secure a further £1.4 million in government funding.

“This funding, which takes the total we’ve received to £2.8 million, will be used to protect, enhance and secure a better future for our local bus services.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the County Council and bus operators to support local services which my constituents rely on.”

To help with the cost-of-living crisis, the government has also invested £200 million to extend the bus fare cap with single bus tickets capped at £2 outside of London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until November 30, 2024.

The cap has helped cut travel costs with the average fare dropping by 10.8% in rural parts of England.