Nottingham bus passengers welcome £1.8m funding boost

Student Isabel Meldrum said good bus connections are "important" for city residents

Bus users have welcomed an additional £1.8m in funding to keep open services in Nottingham.

The money comes from the Department for Transport's Network North Bus Service Improvement Plan, and means Victoria Bus Station will remain open.

The 50, 53 and 54 services are also being extended until March 2026.

The council approved the decision on Thursday, saying the funds would keep open services "that would otherwise cease to operate in 2024-25".

Multiple bus services in the city have been under review

Nottingham City Council had been looking at making cuts to bus services due to its financial difficulties, with the authority declaring itself effectively bankrupt last year.

A consultation on proposed service reductions ended on 16 January.

As well as Victoria Bus Station, the funding means Queens Drive and Colwick Park and Ride will remain open.

Adam Smith praised buses in the city but hopes for more routes

Adam Smith, from Mapperley, backed the funding boost for city bus services.

"I use the bus everyday and they're always convenient and on time," the 28-year-old said.

"However, I'd love there to be more routes between places outside of the city centre.

"For example, a bus between Mapperley and Bulwell as opposed to going into town to reach both places would be great."

Ellie Hollieman has praised the bus services in Nottingham

Ellie Hollieman, a 24-year-old student from Manchester, was visiting a friend in Nottingham and said: "I've come to visit my friend who lives in Nottingham, and I can't believe how good they are.

"The chargers onboard some of the buses have, and contactless payments make them much better than the ones I have [back in Manchester]."

Isabel Meldrum, 21 and a student at the University of Nottingham, said having good routes was crucial for city residents.

"Ensuring that students come into the city and outside of student areas to support local businesses is really important," she said.

"If the buses weren't as good, I'd rarely come into the city centre.

"It's important for students to not just 'take' from a city and instead give back, and the buses help us to do that."