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<p>In England, the majority of bus services outside London operate on a commercial
basis. Where commercial service provision is insufficient to meet the needs of local
communities, local authorities can subsidise bus services where this represents value
for money. This ensures that service provision is aligned with local needs. In instances
where bus services cross local authority boundaries, the Department for Transport
expects the relevant local authorities to work closely with operators and passengers
to ensure the delivery of bus services that reflect local need.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government recognises the importance of local bus services to ensuring communities
can stay connected and has announced over £4.5 billion to support and improve bus
services since 2020. This includes over £2 billion to help local authorities deliver
their Bus Service Improvement Plans, of which Central Bedfordshire Council and Hertfordshire
County Council have been allocated over £4.4 million and £32.7 million respectively
between 2022/23 and 2024/25.</p><p> </p><p>The Government also makes over £200 million
available to bus operators every year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG)
to help them maintain their networks. A further £42 million in BSOG funding is provided
directly to local authorities to help subsidise socially necessary bus services that
might otherwise be commercially unviable. Central Bedfordshire Council receives £136,394
and Hertfordshire County Council receives over £1.2 million of this funding every
year.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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