The 34 projects benefiting from this money are the winners of the second round of the Urban Bus Challenge, a new scheme first launched by the Department for Transport in June last year. Today’s announcement is the second stage of £46 million of funding over three years. The aim of the Urban Bus Challenge is to contribute to the regeneration of deprived urban areas by improving the transport provision, targeting support on areas of economic or social exclusion.

Minister for Transport, John Spellar said:

“I am delighted we are able to provide this funding for a wide range of exciting projects that will bring new transport choices to those living in some of our most deprived communities.

“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.”

The type of schemes involved range from new or enhanced bus services, to demand responsive dial-a-ride initiatives. Most of these services will link areas of unemployment to areas of employment, healthcare, shopping and leisure.

Among the 34 projects to receive funding are:

Bedfordshire: Bedfordshire Dart ( £996,400). This is a fixed service complemented by a demand responsive service to link a deprived area with key employment sites, shopping medical and leisure facilities.

Cumbria: Boosting Carlisle Buses ( £738,000 ). Three bids in one - a jointly funded service to a developing industrial estate, the provision of clearer timetable information for those with poor literacy/numeracy, and the provision of a dial-a-ride service.

Darlington: Connecting Deprived Areas to Employment & Health (£1,070,000). This extends an existing off-peak bus route and provides a new flexible service to link deprived housing estates with healthcare and areas of employment.

Halton & North West Authorities: Right of Passage Tackling Crime ( £99,950). This includes the production of an educational resource pack to improve public transport safety by reducing vandalism.

Southampton: The Bridge Link (£755,000). The provision of new services both conventional and demand responsive aimed at linking deprived areas around the city with areas of employment and other facilities.