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<p>The 2021 National Bus Strategy makes clear that the Government takes the needs
of rural transport users just as seriously as the needs of those in urban areas. The
Department regularly engages with rural local authorities, including on the Rural
Mobility Fund, and will involve them in the planned reforms to the Bus Service Operator
Grant (BSOG).</p><p> </p><p>The Government provides around £250 million every year
through the BSOG to help bus operators keep fares down and maintain a larger network
than would otherwise be possible, as well as to help local authorities subsidise socially
necessary bus services.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has also sought to help increase
patronage on buses, including in rural areas, by providing up to £135 million to help
operators cap single fares at £2 on over 4,700 routes in England outside London. The
cap launched on 1 January and is set to run until 30 June 2023.</p><p> </p><p>We are
also providing up to £80 million in additional funding to extend the Bus Recovery
Grant until 30 June which takes total funding to over £2 billion since March 2020
to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on the bus sector and support local bus services,
including those in rural areas. The Department is actively working on plans for June
onwards and will make further announcements on this in due course. The needs of rural
authorities have been given particular consideration as part of this ongoing work.</p><p>
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