Run a local bus service
Grants for local bus services
You might qualify for the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (in England or Scotland) or the Regional Transport Services Grant (in Wales) if you provide a service where:
- at least half the seats are available to and regularly used by the general public
- stops on the route are in places that people are likely to use reasonably often - fixed bus stops or otherwise
- single journey fares are reasonably priced
- fares can be paid conveniently
- the bus does not have signs or any other indication that it’s not available to the general public
- information about the service, its route and timetable is accessible to the general public
- advance bookings of flexible services do not deter people who want to make a single journey
There are slightly different conditions if your bus service is intended for transporting pupils, people with disabilities or elderly people.
Read more about the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (England and Scotland).
How to apply
Contact the helpline for your area.
England
Bus Service Operator’s Grant helpline (England)
Telephone: 020 7944 8588
bsog@dft.gov.uk
Find out about call charges
Scotland
Bus Service Operator’s Grant helpline (Scotland)
Telephone: 0141 272 7319
bsog@transport.gov.scot
Find out about call charges
Wales
The grant is administered through the Regional Transport Consortia:
Taith
North Wales Consortium covering Anglesey, Gwynedd (excluding the Meirionydd catchment), Conwy, Flintshire Wrexham, Denbighshire.
Telephone: 01352 704 561
enquiries@taith.gov.uk
Find out about call charges
Trafnidiaeth Canolbarth Cymru (TraCC)
Mid Wales Consortium covering Ceredigion, Meirionydd catchment of Gwynedd, Powys.
Telephone: 01970 633 900
enquiries@tracc.gov.uk
Find out about call charges
South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium (SWWITCH)
Covering Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot.
Telephone: 01792 637 760 or 01792 637 761
swwitchbusfunding@swansea.gov.uk
Find out about call charges
South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta)
Consortium covering: Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire.
Telephone: 029 2078 8352
damienweeks@monmouthshire.gov.uk
Find out about call charges