BUS firms have been handed a £400million bailout to keep services running during the lockdown.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak agreed the package with local operators and the Department for Transport.
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He said it would ensure that buses are running so that key health staff can still get to work.
Firms will receive new funding worth £167million over the next three months, on top of an existing £200million — usually linked to companies’ fuel usage.
Another £30million is diverted from cash to set up new routes.
Firms must run minimum services and include social distancing measures on board.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We have been very clear during the outbreak that the best way to stop the spread of the virus and protect the NHS, is to stay at home if possible.
“Our buses are a lifeline for people who need to travel for work or to buy food – including our emergency services and NHS staff – and it’s absolutely vital we do all we can to keep the sector running.”
National Express, which is not covered by the scheme, is to suspend all its services from Sunday.
Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, said: “We kept a limited coach network running to be able to help those individuals with essential travel needs but it is no longer viable to continue to do this.”
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