Skip to main content

£69m boost for bus firms in Wales

The Welsh government has announced a £69 million hardship fund to support bus companies that offer free transport for National Health Service workers during the coronavirus pandemic. 
By Ben Spencer April 22, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Wales is offering financial support to bus firms which give free rides to NHS staff (© Maksym Kapliuk | Dreamstime.com)

Ken Skates, economy, transport and north Wales minister, says: “This support will give public transport operators the initial funding they need to continue to deliver services, pay employees and sub-contractors, while we work with them to develop a comprehensive package of measures to secure an efficient, sustainable, and robust bus network.”

The fund will be paid monthly up front for up to three months and will temporarily replace existing grant funding provided through the bus services support grant, mandatory concessionary fares and MyTravelPass in the normal course of business.

Transport for Wales is currently receiving support from the fund for allowing NHS workers to travel on its buses and trains for free. 
 

Related Content

  • Authorities switch on to all electric buses as costs tumble
    January 9, 2018
    Alan Dron looks at changes in bus propulsion as cities look to improve air quality and seek to reduce maintenance costs. Despite the ending of various incentives to adopt alternative fuels, the introduction of electric buses by US transit authorities is picking up speed as performance improves, costs drop and air quality considerations become increasingly significant. More US bus manufacturers are introducing zero-emission models and some recent contracts will see many more passengers getting their first
  • A new beginning for travel information, based on users' needs
    February 3, 2012
    Despite its name, the EU's forthcoming SUNSET project could represent a new beginning for travel information services. Here, Susan Grant-Muller and Frances Hodgson from the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds detail a project which is intended to exert a greater influence on network users' travel habits
  • UK government funding package benefits plug-in vehicle drivers
    February 21, 2013
    UK drivers with plug-in vehicles are set to benefit from a US$57.3 million funding package for home and on-street charging and for new charge points for people parking plug-in vehicles at railway stations. The coalition government will provide 75 per cent of the cost of installing new charge points. This can be claimed by: people installing charge points where they live; local authorities installing rapid charge points to facilitate longer journeys, or providing on-street charging on request from residents
  • What does 2023 have in store for ITS?
    December 30, 2022
    From VRUs to EVs, from customer experience to connected vehicles, here are some thoughts...