Rural bus services in Oxfordshire are to benefit from a £926,906 Government grant to transform public transport, writes Andrew Ffrench.

The money, part of a national £130m cash injection over the next four years, will help pay for 42 services across the county.

This is the third year that the Department of Environ- ment, Transport and the Regions has given funding to Oxfordshire County Council for rural bus routes in the county.

Transport Minister Keith Hill said: "We must set our sights on high-quality public transport, in our countryside as well as in our towns and cities.

"The bus holds the key to improving public transport locally.

"It has the potential and the capacity to provide alternatives to the car for many trips.

"Our vision is for the car to no longer be a necessity in even our most remote communities."

There are 1,800 new or improved services nationwide as a result of the Government's rural bus subsidy scheme.

Noel Newson, Oxfordshire County Council's manager for public transport, said: "We are pleased to receive confirmation of this grant allocation and it will mean that existing rural services are allowed to continue.

"There are in excess of 40 being supported on rural routes across the county."

Story date: Wednesday 01 March

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