DORSET bus operators have responded with uncertainty to a government package of more than £150m provided to support bus and rail services across the UK.

The latest funding package builds on almost two years’ worth of government support to keep bus and light rail networks running, with around £2 billion made available to more 160 operators during the pandemic.

This represents the final tranche of pandemic-related support to operators and will run for six months until October.

The managing directors of Morebus and Yellow Buses have responded to this by praising government help, while expressing concern the latest payment will not “meet the gap” between operating costs and current passenger numbers.

The funding is around half of that previously offered and the value is split between operators and local authorities that previously received Bus Recovery Grant support.

David Squire of Yellow Buses said: “The team have been discussing the ongoing funding situation with our trade body. We appreciate the funding proposal from the Department for Transport but the press announcement made no mention of any terms and conditions, so we await to see the devil in the detail.

Bournemouth Echo: Yellow Buses

“Unfortunately, for some operators like us who operate a large proportion of commercial bus mileage, the funding proposed for April and that which we have received over the last six months does not meet the gap between our operating costs and the revenue generated from the current passenger numbers.

“The government expected passengers to return to public transport over the past six months, however this didn’t happen due to the emergence of Omicron. Unfortunately, as it stands, today we are still only carrying around two thirds of the passengers that we were before the pandemic. Clearly, this is impacted by many large employers locally continuing to work from home.

“We hope that as summer approaches leisure customers will return to buses and use them to get around Bournemouth and surrounding areas.”

Andrew Wickham of Morebus said: “With passenger levels rising across the region, this will allow us to preserve services – which is good news for our team and for those who travel with us.

“Buses are a hugely important resource for local people. With this in mind, it is crucial we do everything possible to continue operating comprehensive services across the region.”