Cornwall is set to get a bus boost with the announcement of £1,962,162 of additional funding to support services in the county.    

Announcing the news, the government said it has so far invested £3.5 billion in bus services since 2020, aimed at protecting and improving travel and helping save people money on public transport, with the grants going towards ensuring bus users pay a low, flat fare for travel.

Single bus tickets have been capped at £2 outside London until the end of this month and then at £2.50 until November 30, 2024. 

The extra funding has been welcomed by MPs in the county.  

West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas said: “Many people rely on bus services across West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to get to work or to see family and friends.  

 “This funding should protect essential services and enhance transport connections, supporting people to get where they need to go with public transport they can rely on. However, in light of recent conversations I have had with constituents there are clearly some frustrations around a number of services, and I will be working to address these issues to make sure people are able to make even better use of the bus services.”  

“I am particularly pleased to have secured the extension of the fare cap at £2.50 until November 30, 2024.  

“As chairman of the Rural Services All-Party Group I have worked with Richard Stevens, CEO of Transport for Cornwall and the CEO of First Bus and had a number of discussions with ministers to ensure that bus companies received support to get passengers back on our buses and avoided the loss of bus routes that serve rural Cornwall.” 

 Scott Mann, the MP for North Cornwall, added: “Many people rely on bus services across North Cornwall, to get to work or to see family and friends.   

“That is why the Conservative government have invested £3.5 billion in bus services since 2020, including an extra £1,969,162 for services across the Cornwall.   

“This funding will protect essential services and enhance transport connections, supporting people to get where they need to go with public transport they can rely on.”   

Roads Minister Richard Holden MP added: “Buses are the most popular form of public transport and millions of people across the country from the Tees Valley to Torbay rely on their local service to get to work, attend medical appointments and see loved ones.   

“We are providing a further £80 million to help local authorities improve and protect essential services, delivering for local communities across the country by enhancing transport connections, supporting passengers and growing the economy.”