Conservative Government reject bid for bus funding in Cumbria

The Conservative Government have rejected a bid from Cumbria County Council to improve local bus services.

Last year, the Prime Minister announced that £3bn would be spent on "new funding to level up buses across England towards London standards", with local authorities encouraged to bid for the money.

Cumbria County Council had put together a bid which included extending child fare discounts from under 16s to under 21s, offering season ticket deals to low paid workers, and offering evening services on key tourist routes in the main summer season.

But last night it was announced that the funding for the Bus Service Improvement Plan had been slashed to £1.2bn and that Cumbria would be not be receiving any money.

Commenting on the decision, Tim said: "This is a massive kick in the teeth to residents across Cumbria who are crying out for better bus services, especially people living in our rural villages.

"The county council came forward with a plan to improve bus services and the Government haven't given us a single penny.

"The Conservatives promised us 'London standard' public transport and they've delivered diddly squat.

"Levelling up? What a joke."