Local Bus Services

HC Deb 29 January 2002 vol 379 cc169-70W

12. Dr. Kumar

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government investment in local bus services. [28446]

Mr. Byers

Since introducing the new system of local transport plans, in 1999, we have accepted or provisionally accepted for funding 30 bus-based major local transport schemes each with a minimum gross cost of £5 million. We are also making £198 million available to local authorities to support bus services in rural areas, as well as £46 million under the urban bus challenge scheme. The bus industry is also investing heavily, having spent some £977 million on new buses over the last three years.