Better Southend - Better Bus Area (BBA) Fund Application
| Southend Wins Better Bus Bid! |
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Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has won its £1.577m bid from the Department for Transport's Better Bus Area Fund, it has just been announced. This bid, backed by the borough's two major bus operators, Arriva and First Essex Buses, was one of only 24 in the country to be approved out of 50 applications submitted. This £1.577m grant will be further topped up by Arriva and First Essex Buses and Southend's Local Transport Plan funding - already allocated by DfT for transport.The money will fund ways to help encourage more people to use buses, which will cut congestion, promote a low carbon transport infrastructure, and create growth. |
The Department for Transport has invited bids for the Better Bus Area (BBA) Fund from local authorities for up to £5 million over the next two years (2012/13, 2013/14). The Fund is intended to support those local authorities who take a partnership approach to bus services in congested urban areas, where increasing bus occupancy and achieving modal shift can free up valuable road space and reduce carbon emissions, the Fund is solely for bus-related measures to create growth and cut carbon.
Consultations have been held with the two major bus operators in Southend; Arriva Southend and First Essex Buses to identify bus congestion "hot spots" and improvements to interchanges.
The submitted bid comprises four key elements which are summarised below.
Element 1 - Smarter Travel
To work with bus operators to develop and expand the use of Smart ticket machines and to incorporate the software required to ensure the operation of the Essex and Southend wide AVL system. To work in partnership with Essex County Council on the establishment of an integrated smartcard system that will capture not only travel options but also allow inclusion of connecting systems leading to a healthier life style for both children and adults.
Element 2 - Better Interchanges & Bus Stops
To increase attractiveness and improve safety, security and transport information working with the bus operators we will enhance the following interchanges;
- Leigh Rail Station (Olympic Arrival)
- Travel Centre Chichester Road/Southchurch Road bus stop improvements
- Cliffs Pavilion
- Southend Hospital
Element 3 - Tackling Local Congestion
Encourage Growth and reduce carbon by promoting modal shift from the car to the bus by developing with the bus operators a programme of traffic management measures to reduce congestion and improve bus reliability and punctuality.
Element 4 - Sustainability Management
To ensure the package of elements is successful and to encourage growth, improve bus patronage and reduce carbon emissions.
For further information please see the Better Bus Area Fund Application in our related downloads section to the right of this page.
Last updated: 27th March 2012