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<p>The bus market outside London is deregulated and decisions regarding service provision
are primarily a commercial matter for bus operators. However, the Bus Services Act
2017 provides the tools local authorities need to improve local bus services and increase
passenger numbers.</p><p> </p><p>The annual Bus Service Operators Grant the Government
provided for Kent County Council during 2018/19 was £1,087,788.</p><p> </p><p>We have
announced an additional £30 million of additional funding to improve current services
and restoring lost services. Kent County Council has been allocated £1,007,624 which
will be available from April 2020 if the funding requirements are met. This is from
the £220 million Better Deal for Bus Users package to transform bus services. The
Government’s ambition is to secure a long term, sustained improvement in bus services
underpinned by a National Bus Strategy for England which will be accompanied by a
long-term funding settlement.</p><p><a href="http://%0bwww.gov.uk/government/publications/a-better-deal-for-bus-users/a-better-deal-for-bus-users"
target="_blank"> www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-better-deal-for-bus-users/a-better-deal-for-bus-users</a></p><p>
</p><p>On 11 February 2020, the Prime Minister announced there will be £5 billion
of new funding to overhaul bus and cycle links for every region outside London which
may benefit bus services serving Medway, Kent and the wider South East.</p>
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