Dame Harriett Baldwin questions the Transport Secretary about funding for bus services in Worcestershire specifically a more regular bus service between Worcester and Malvern, including on weekends, and for the reinstatement of the X43 service.
Dame Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
Bus usage after the pandemic was beginning to recover in Worcestershire, thanks to the £2 bus fare and improvements to routes. We are campaigning in Malvern for a better and more regular bus service between Worcester and Malvern, including on weekends, and for the reinstatement of the X43 service. We hoped that we would be able to do that with some of the £209 million of High Speed 2 money that was indicated for Worcestershire. Could the Secretary of State clarify what has happened to that funding, and how it links to her statement?
The Secretary of State for Transport (Louise Haigh)
I am very pleased to confirm that Worcestershire is receiving £9.4 million dedicated for local bus services, a £4 million increase on this year. Of that, £5.4 million is revenue funding and can absolutely be delivered for the kind of bus service that the hon. Lady outlines.