§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much Government money has been invested in initiatives to improve rural public transport in(a) Bath and North East Somerset and (b) South Gloucestershire, since May 1997. [91159]
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§ Ms Glenda JacksonIn his March 1998 Budget, the Chancellor made available an additional £50 million a year to assist public transport in rural areas. The bulk of these extra resources is being used to provide additional bus services. We allocated £139,970 to Bath and North East Somerset and £191,415 to South Gloucestershire in Rural Bus Subsidy Grant for 1998–99. We have allocated the same amounts to both authorities for 1999–2000. In addition, both authorities submitted successful bids under the 1998 Rural Bus Challenge competition. Bath and North East Somerset were allocated £34,600 for a project to improve lighting at bus stops in rural areas, while South Gloucestershire were allocated £612,000 for a project to develop three community transport co-ordination centres.