Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, has welcomed the announcement of new funding for Reading Borough Council (£26.3 million) and West Berkshire Council (£2.6 million) to deliver vital improvements and level up local bus networks – delivering cheaper, more frequent, and more reliable journeys for passengers.

This funding is part of a £7 billion package from the Government, made up of £1.2 billion of funding for areas which will prioritise improving their bus services for local residents; £5.7 billion of transport funding to England’s eight city regions; and £38 million for light rail operators across the Midlands and North.

Including earlier awards, just under two thirds of England's population outside London will benefit from new investment to make their buses more frequent, more reliable, easier to understand and use, cheaper and greener. Improvements will also include integrated ticketing and more bus lanes to speed up journeys.

The announcement of this transformational funding comes on top of the confirmation that £5.7 billion will be delivered across England’s eight city regions through the City Regional Transport Settlements – giving mayors and their communities long-term certainty to deliver transformational improvements to local transport networks including upgrades to local tram, bus, cycling & walking and rail networks.

Commenting, Alok said:

“Bus networks form the spine of local transport networks. That is why I am delighted that Reading Borough Council is receiving £26.3 million and West Berkshire Council £2.6 million to boost our bus services – transforming our local transport network to deliver cheaper, more reliable and more frequent services for passengers.”

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

“Buses are the most popular way of getting around in this country – but for too long people outside of London have had a raw deal. The investment we’re making today to ramp up the bus revolution will drive down fares at a time when people’s finances are tight and help connect communities across England.”