Earlier this month, the government announced a £367 million, multi-year investment in bus services across the region, giving local authorities the certainty they need to plan services through to 2030.

The announcement also saw the extension of the £3 single fare cap, which will help keep everyday bus journeys affordable for passengers across the region.

Recent data from Transport for the South East’s Regional Travel Survey shows that affordability and convenience are key drivers of bus use. This underlines the importance of reliable, well-supported bus services that meet people’s day-to-day travel needs.

Crucially, this long-term funding allows transport authorities to move away from short-term fixes and plan with confidence, something TfSE has consistently advocated. Across the South East, this means the ability to expand routes, improve frequencies, review fares, invest in cleaner vehicles and upgrade infrastructure.

For passengers and communities, this means more frequent, affordable, greener and reliable journeys, with better connections to jobs, services and opportunities that support local growth.

Improved bus services also help cut congestion and carbon emissions while making towns and cities more inclusive, key ambitions set out in TfSE’s 2025 Transport Strategy, helping to widen travel choices and support more sustainable journeys across the South East.

The Government has committed £367m of combined revenue and capital funding across the south east until 2030. The breakdown is as follows:

Bracknell Forest Council – £3,533,973

Brighton and Hove City Council – £30,685,102

East Sussex County Council – £33,866,878

Hampshire County Council – £52,036,693

Isle of Wight Council – £8,096,707

Kent County Council – £90,666,576

Medway Council – £15,424,223

Portsmouth City Council – £16,864,796

Reading Borough Council – £9,397,366

Slough Borough Council – £6,118,015

Southampton City Council – £14,891,637

Surrey County Council – £38,222,340

West Berkshire Council – £5,553,486

West Sussex County Council – £32,712,205

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead – £4,394,894

Wokingham Borough Council – £5,084,191

Full breakdown of capital and revenue funding here