People in deprived urban areas are to benefit from nearly £20m of investment in local bus services.
The £19.6m will go to a wide range of bus schemes that help to tackle urban deprivation and social exclusion across England. The Urban Bus Challenge Competition is designed to improve local transport in areas where it is most needed and has handed out £53m to community transport projects since 2001.
Pilot 'Kickstart' schemes are also included in this year's allocation. These initiatives have the potential to run independently once initial funding has been granted, possibly as commercial services.
Transport Minister Tony McNulty said today's announcement will bring real benefits to many communities.
"This year's award-winning schemes range from new or improved bus services to dial-a-ride initiatives. I am particularly encouraged by the response from local authorities and operators to our pilot Kickstart proposals and I look forward to seeing these schemes proving successful in bringing even more passengers onto buses."
The successful applications include:
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£1,264,800 for an orbital bus route in Norwich, linking residential and employment areas around the periphery of the city.
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£440,000 to allow Brent Community Transport to purchase and operate two accessible minibuses over a two-year period. The vehicles will serve tube/rail interchanges, retail areas, primary healthcare facilities, an adult education centre, key employment centres and resource centres for people with physical and sensory difficulties.
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£972,496 to improve transport links between deprived residential estates in Burnley and areas of employment. The service will include four new vehicles, a subsidised taxi service, and the extension of an existing commercial service.
