Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any agreements for areas looking to form enhanced partnerships under the Bus Service Improvement Programme grants have been signed; whether they are (1) fully, or (2) partially, funded; and if they are partially funded, what levels of financial need are funded.

Bus Service Improvement Plans are intended to demonstrate Local Transport Authorities’ vision for bus in local areas, and to draw on a number of funding sources over the long-term.

All 79 Local Transport Authorities in England outside London are pursuing either an Enhanced Partnership or developing a business case for franchising to deliver their bus services. 34 places have been allocated funding from the £1.1 billion Bus Service Improvement Plan budget.

Around half of the Local Transport Authorities that are pursuing Enhanced Partnerships have completed them so far. Bus Service Improvement Plan funding, in conjunction with City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities, will support local bus transformation but is not intended necessarily to entirely fund all projects.