Almost £33m has been granted to West Sussex County Council to boost its bus services.
Backed by an investment of £32.7m from the Department for Transport (DfT), the local authority will be expanding its bus improvement programme, which aims to ensure a high standard of bus services for residents.
The funding split for 2026/27 will see £4m allocated to infrastructure enhancements to allow for better bus travel in the region, as well as £5.2m being targeted towards the improvement of bus services and fare schemes, including concessions.
Previous projects facilitated by the grant have included the delivery of accessibility upgrades at 298 bus stops, the introduction of 548 real-time passenger information displays, and the rollout of bus lanes and traffic light priority at junctions on busy routes.
The council has also supported the affordability of its bus network by providing discounted fares for young people, with over a million journeys having been taken by this demographic using the concession scheme.
With 21m having been invested in bus travel by the council since 2022, resident satisfaction with bus services has increased to 86%, according to the 2024/25 Transport Focus survey.
Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: ‘This continued investment from the DfT allows us to build on the progress already made and maintain our focus on improving bus services for our communities across the county.
‘Reliable public transport plays a key role in supporting a sustainable and prosperous economy, helping people stay connected to their jobs, services and one another.’
Cllr Dennis added that the local authority will continue to collaborate with local bus operators, as well as its parish, district and borough council partners, to deliver long-term service improvements for residents.
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Photo: © BEN ELLIOTT.
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