Covid bus fund: UTG demands a rethink

Bus operators and local authorities are awaiting an announcement from the DfT about a fresh round of Covid-19 emergency funding for bus services in England. The Urban Transport Group is pressing for changes to put local authorities in the driving seat. Andrew Forster reports

Andrew Forster

24 July 2020

FirstGroup has just increased seating capacity to 50 per cent

Details of a third round of Covid-19 emergency bus funding to help the industry in England (outside London) cope with continuing depressed patronage levels were eagerly awaited by local authorities and bus operators this week. The parties are keen to learn about not only the size of the funding pot but whether the Government will change the way the funding is allocated. The Urban Transport Group (UTG) has tabled a proposal that would see the funding paid to local transport authorities rather...