JOSH MacAlister MP and Cumberland’s Labour council have backed government plans to deliver better buses by providing £5 million in funding next year.

The investment in the Cumberland area has been designated to enhance popular routes, protect and create new rural services and increase bus use for shopping, socialising and commuting.

Labour say it will also help prevent service reductions on at-risk routes and improve punctuality.

As part of this investment, the way funding is allocated has been reformed and will be based on need. Labour says this will end the competitive bidding for funding, which wastes resources and delays decisions.

Cllr Denise Rollo, cabinet member for sustainable, resilient and connected places on Cumberland Council, said: “I am delighted that the Transport Secretary has confirmed over £5 million of new bus funding across our council area.

“People across Cumberland are tired of unreliable, infrequent bus services holding them back from opportunities after a decade of neglect of our local bus services.

“This new Government has a plan to deliver better buses across the country, and this funding boost is another crucial stop on that journey.”

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister added: “Buses are the lifeblood of communities, but the system is broken. Too often, passengers in West Cumbria are left waiting hours for buses that don’t turn up – and some rural areas have been cut off altogether.

“That’s why the new Government is reforming funding to deliver better buses across the country and end the postcode lottery of bus services.”