LOCAL bus operators are set to benefit from a near £9m investment as BCP Council is named one of 31 successful UK authorities to clinch government funding.

The council was awarded £8.9m under the latest round of the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan scheme – which aims to reverse the shift in journeys away from public transport and encourage passengers back onto buses.

While “delighted” the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole authority would benefit from the scheme, the council’s portfolio holder for transport and sustainability has said there will be a “lot of restrictions” on how the money is used.

Councillor Mike Greene said: “I am delighted that we are one of the 31 local authorities selected for the Bus Service Improvement Plan funding. We will be working closely in partnership with the bus operators to use this funding for supporting and encouraging bus use.

“Bus services are complementary to the other things we are doing to allow alternatives to car use. Our success in work to improve facilities for cycling and walking has no doubt contributed significantly to BCP being selected for this funding.

Bournemouth Echo: Yellow Buses

“There are several processes to go through before the final funding is confirmed, and there will be a lot of restrictions on exactly how we use the money. But we hope to be investing in improvements that will cut down journey times, introduce ticketing initiatives and much more.

“Public transport is essential to the commuters, students and visitors in our area, and I look forward to the plans coming to fruition over the next three years.”

The managing directors of both Morebus and Yellow Buses have praised the council’s success in obtaining the grant, with the latter hoping the money is spent on bus punctuality.

David Squire of Yellow Buses told the Echo: “[We] welcome this funding, at this stage we don’t know the specifics of the funding, but we would hope that it can be spent on prioritising buses to speed them up and improve punctuality and reliability of services in our very congested conurbation.”

Meanwhile Andrew Wickham of Morebus said: “We are delighted that BCP Council has been given an indicative allocation of funding as part of the Bus Back Better funding. We look forward to working at pace with BCP Council on prioritising and developing bus priority schemes – which are an essential part of the funding allocation – to speed up journey times.”