£23 Million Boost for Kent Buses: Green Party Celebrates Win for Public Transport

In a significant win for public transport, Kent County Council (KCC) has secured a £23 million government grant to support bus services across the county. The funding, part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), will help shore up existing routes and potentially restore services that were recently axed.

The announcement was met with widespread approval at a recent KCC environment and transport committee meeting. Green Party councillor Mark Hood, representing Tonbridge, described the grant as a “huge amount of money” and praised the efforts of KCC’s public transport team.

What the Funding Means for Kent

The £23 million grant is the largest tranche yet under the BSIP scheme, bringing the total funding received by KCC to £58.2 million. The money will be divided into three key areas:

• £10.1 million for revenue support to keep existing services running.
• £11 million for capital projects, including bus shelter repairs and real-time passenger information systems.
• £1 million in direct grants to bus operators.

Currently, 51 bus services in Kent rely on financial support to remain operational. Without this funding, many of these routes would likely be cancelled, leaving communities isolated. The new grant will help protect these vital services while also exploring opportunities to restore recently lost routes, such as the No 55 service in Ringlestone near Maidstone.

Green Party Vision for Public Transport

The Green Party has long championed better, cheaper, and more accessible public transport. Our manifesto commits to:

• Increasing annual public subsidies for rail and bus travel to £10 billion by the end of the next Parliament, including free bus travel for under-18s.
• Investing an additional £19 billion over five years to improve public transport, support electrification, and create new cycleways and footpaths.
• Giving local authorities greater control over bus services to ensure they meet community needs.

Cllr Mark Hood emphasised the importance of this funding, stating, “This is a lifeline for bus users across Kent. But while this grant is welcome, it’s only a fraction of what’s needed to transform our public transport system. We need sustained investment to make buses affordable, reliable, and accessible for everyone.”

Challenges Ahead

Despite the positive news, challenges remain. The bus sector continues to face financial pressures, and KCC anticipates needing to support even more services in the coming year. Residents in Ringlestone, for example, are already feeling the impact of service cuts. After losing their No 55 service, they’ve petitioned KCC to use part of the new grant to restore their connection to Maidstone.

Phil Lightowler, KCC’s head of public transport, described the grant as a “lifeline for bus users” and expressed hope for greater integration between bus and rail networks in the future. He also highlighted the potential for AI to address ticketing issues, making public transport more seamless and user-friendly.

A Greener Future

The Green Party believes that investing in public transport is essential for tackling the climate crisis and reducing inequality. As Cllr Hood noted, “Every pound spent on buses is an investment in our communities and our planet. We need to build on this momentum and push for even greater changes, like electrifying our bus fleet and expanding services to underserved areas.”

This funding is a step in the right direction, but the Green Party will continue to advocate for the transformative changes needed to create a sustainable, accessible, and affordable public transport system for all.

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