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Greater Manchester Bus Services Back in the Hands of the People

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Greater Manchester has taken a bold step in public transport, completing the historic re-regulation of its bus network. This milestone, the first in England in 40 years, represents a seismic shift in how the city-region connects its communities, promotes sustainability and drives economic growth. The transformation is part of the Bee Network, an ambitious vision for a fully integrated, “London-style” public transport system by 2025.
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£27m Funding Boost to Further Improve Bus Services Across Lancashire

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Here's some big news for Lancashire’s bus passengers– the county’s just bagged a whopping £27 million to boost its bus services. This cash injection is part of a £1 billion pot the government revealed on Sunday to keep crucial bus routes alive and kicking nationwide.

A man pointing at a bus schedule under a bus shelter at Clitheroe Interchange. The display shows various bus times and routes. The background includes a pathway and greenery.
Lancashire County Council

From Lancashire’s slice, £25.2m will supercharge the county council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). That’s the scheme already working to make buses more frequent, reliable and affordable. Throw in simpler fares and better passenger info and you’ve got a recipe for public transport that actually works.

Here’s the kicker: with this latest haul, Lancashire County Council has racked up an impressive £67.1m in BSIP funding since 2022. Not too shabby.

And it’s paying off. In the first half of 2024/25, bus journeys in Lancashire hit 21 million – a 10% jump compared to the same time last year. Clearly, folks are hopping on board.

Remember that £1 Evening Fare? It’s been a hit, with over 2.6 million tickets snapped up since January 2023. Now there’s a £1 Sunday Single too, launched in May, which has already seen more than 780,000 sales. Bargain fares for the win.

Here’s what all that dosh is doing:

  • Three new bus routes and 21 daytime service enhancements are on the way.
  • 26 evening and Sunday services are getting a boost too, because buses don’t clock off early anymore.
  • Over 30 highways schemes are in the works to keep buses moving smoothly.
  • Bus stops? They’re getting a glow-up with new shelters and raised curbs along key interurban routes.
  • Tech-savvy travellers will love the Single Operator Tap-on Tap-off Contactless Capping for easy fare payments.
  • And if you’re on the Fylde Coast, AnyBus multi-operator ticketing means you can hop between different bus companies without breaking the bank.
  • Need a map? All operator bus network maps have you covered.
  • Let’s not forget the budget-friendly £1 Evening and Sunday single fares, with millions of tickets already sold.
Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, Lancashire’s transport chief, is buzzing:
“Our bus service improvement plan is already making a huge difference, and this additional funding will enable us to further enhance bus services across the county.

"We understand how important it is for all residents to have access to frequent, reliable and affordable transport that they can rely on for travel to work, access to healthcare and days out.

"We'll be working closely with local communities and stakeholders as we develop plans to ensure that the improvements reflect the needs of residents.

"We're optimistic about the future of bus travel and excited about the opportunities we now have to create a more connected and sustainable future for public transport in Lancashire."
With big plans and even bigger ambitions, Lancashire’s gearing up for a more connected, sustainable future. Bus travel in Lancashire is looking brighter already.

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