Temporary targeted support to help bus, school and community transport services across Wales cope with exceptional rises in fuel costs has been announced today.
- A new temporary scheme will help bus, school and community transport operators in Wales with exceptional fuel costs.
- £7 million to be distributed through local authorities, to help protect essential services in 2026-7.
- The scheme recognises the significant pressures that exceptionally high and volatile fuel costs are placing on bus operators, school transport providers and community transport services across Wales.
The £7 million Bus Services Support Grant (BSSG) Plus scheme, funded by the Welsh Government, will not only help essential services through this exceptional period of fuel-cost pressures, but also protect passengers from fare increases.
The funding will be distributed through local authorities to ensure that funds reach operators as quickly as possible.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, said:
We recognise the significant pressures that exceptional and sustained fuel costs are placing on bus, school and community transport services across Wales.
These services provide vital connections for communities, helping people to access education, employment, healthcare and other essential services. We have been working closely with local authorities and the transport sector to understand the pressures they are facing and the potential impact on services.
In response, we have developed BSSG Plus, a temporary and targeted package of support designed to help address exceptional fuel-cost pressures and protect essential services.
In the meantime, we continue to monitor fuel prices and work closely with the sector and local government.
