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06
Jul 2020
Last Updated: 06/07/2020
Council receives £389,000 grant to transport key workers
North Yorkshire County Council is set to support bus companies after the coronavirus pandemic saw a drop in passenger numbers.
Electric bus driving through Harrogate town centre.
North Yorkshire County Council is set to support local bus companies to continue to transport key workers as part of a £389,000 government grant.
The authority claimed the money for 17 companies from the government’s Covid-19 Bus Service Support Grant which was designed to support services which have seen reduced passengers and an increase in costs due to the pandemic.
Around £167 million was made available by the Department for Transport and 92 bus services have been supported.
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The county council has also claimed £23,000 to reimburse bus companies for covid-19 costs such as personal protective equipment, hand sanitiser and dispensers, and the introduction of barriers and screens on vehicles.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, said:
“Bus operators have provided a much-needed service to key workers and other passengers making essential journeys across the county throughout lockdown and the covid-19 pandemic.
“For many people, journeys by bus are the only way to get to work and to connect one rural location to another.
“Key workers have helped keep the county running during these unprecedented times, and bus services have supported them in turn. I’m delighted that North Yorkshire County Council was able to access this grant to help operators.”
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