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<p>The Government pays over £200 million directly to bus operators every year through
the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to help keep fares down and maintain a larger
network than would otherwise be possible. The Government also provides £42 million
annually in BSOG funding to Local Transport Authorities, of which Suffolk County Council
receives almost £615,000, to fund socially necessary bus services.</p><p> </p><p>Since
1 January, the majority of single bus journeys in England outside London have been
capped at £2 thanks to Government support via the Bus Fare Cap Grant. The initial
phase of the scheme, through to 31 March, is backed by up to £60 million. On 17 February,
we announced that we will provide up to £75 million to extend the £2 bus fare cap
until 30 June 2023</p><p> </p><p>This takes total Government funding to over £2 billion
in emergency and recovery funding to Local Transport Authorities and bus operators
since March 2020, of which Suffolk County Council has been allocated over £5 million.
This is in addition to the funding we have provided directly to bus operators to maintain
bus services through this route.</p><p> </p><p>Suffolk County Council has also been
allocated £824,737 in capacity and capability funding for bus service improvements
for the period 2021/22 to 2024/25. This funding is intended to support them with employing
dedicated resource for the next three years to help deliver their Bus Service Improvement
Plans and Enhanced Partnerships.</p>
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