Portsmouth bus service gets a £48million investment

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Stephen Emerson

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The Government have confirmed a £48million investment into Portsmouth's bus fleet. The finance will be used to increase bus use, reduce fairs and increase performance of the fleet.

The aims are in line with the delivery of the National Bus Strategy, to increase bus use and deliver a wide range of economic, health and social objectives.

This announcement comes just weeks after the government awarded £6.5 million for zero emission buses, bringing the total funding to transform bus travel in Portsmouth, and the wider area to £54.5 million.

The funding will be invested in partnership with both First and Stagecoach through a number of improvements which were informed by feedback from residents and businesses.

To make the bus network more accessible, jobseeker discounts will be introduced as will weekend concessionary fares. The council will also promote bus use for all, whilst also supporting the city economy, by offering free travel on ‘Small Business Saturdays’ and ‘Free Fare Sundays’.

A ‘tap on tap off’ bank card payment system will be introduced while fares are set to be capped at daily and weekly limits.

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset. Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users. He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.