The 34 projects benefiting from this money are the winners of the second round of the Urban Bus Challenge, launched by the Department for Transport in June last year. Today's announcement is the second stage of £46m of funding over three years. Projects that will get funding include:

• a service in Bedfordshire to link a deprived area with key employment sites and shopping, medical and leisure facilities; and
• a service in Cumbria to a developing industrial estate, along with the provision of clearer timetable information and a dial-a-ride service.

The aim of the Challenge is to contribute to the regeneration of deprived urban areas by improving transport provision. It targets support at areas of economic or social exclusion. Transport Minister John Spellar said:

"Tackling social exclusion by improving access to employment, health services and other community facilities is a key aspect of our transport objective and these projects will contribute significantly to urban renewal in the areas concerned."