West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged local people to show their support for local bus services as the Government extends a scheme offering discounted bus fares.

The £500 million Government scheme will allow millions of passengers across England to ‘Get Around for £2’ and help bus companies to plan for long-term stability in the sector.

Single bus fares will be capped at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024 – when the Government will review their effectiveness and future bus fares.

Harriett has been working closely with Worcestershire County Council as it develops an on-demand bus scheme to operate across the county.

Last year, the MP hosted a summit to discuss local bus service provision getting feedback from local councillors and travel experts.

Harriett said: “I welcome the significant extra investment made available to bus companies to subsidise fares and hope that local people will make the choice to use the bus more where they can.

“I am strongly supportive of the county council initiative to investigate on-demand bus service provision using mobile phone technology to increase availability.

“I have always said that bus services rely on the principle of ‘use it or lose it’ and we’ve seen services decline in recent years with a combination of the pandemic and reduced local route subsidies.

“I am asking to meet the local bus company to request they use the money to reinstate services  including the route to Malvern’s Upper Howsell Road area.

“This significant cash boost by the Government is a clear signal to the bus companies that they should do much more to promote services and encourage more local people to use their services where possible.”