Prime Highlights:
- Gloucestershire County Council will invest £1.25 million to improve public transport with new electric buses and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
- The project aims to make travel across the county cleaner, faster, and more reliable, supporting a shift toward greener transport.
Key Facts:
- The funding includes £1 million from local councils and £250,000 from the county council to develop the BRT business plan and select routes.
- The BRT plan is expected to be completed by the end of the 2026–27 financial year, with electric buses introduced on existing routes as the first step.
Background:
Gloucestershire County Council will invest £1.25 million in new electric buses and a BRT system to make travel cleaner and faster.
The investment includes £1 million from Community Infrastructure Levy funds contributed by Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council, and Tewkesbury Borough Council. The county council will add another £250,000. This funding will be used to prepare a detailed business plan and decide on the first routes for the BRT system, which will run between main areas like Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Councillor Roger Whyborn emphasized that the project represents a significant move toward an integrated and eco-friendly transport network. He said the council is building the base for a transport system that will serve the county’s growing needs. It’s a chance to plan for future housing and jobs while improving public transport now with cleaner and more frequent services.
The BRT system will prioritize bus movement to reduce delays, minimize unnecessary stops, and enhance connections with other transport modes. The new system will also link with a planned Express Bus Service connecting Gloucestershire to nearby cities like Oxford and Swindon, making regional travel easier.
At the start, a number of electric buses will be added to current routes to help cut carbon emissions and improve air quality. The BRT plan will be ready by 2026–27. Leaders say it will make travel easier and help Gloucestershire go greener.
