{"value":{"id":1925386,"askingMemberId":5168,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2026-07-08T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2026-07-13T00:00:00","uin":"17150","questionText":"To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to make bus travel more affordable for children and young people in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.","answeringBodyId":27,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Transport","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":false,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":4943,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2026-07-13T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>The Government has introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire, and has extended the cap until March 2027 to help passengers continue to access affordable bus travel.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Government is providing funding for children aged 5 to 15 to travel free on participating local bus services in England during August 2026.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support and improve bus services. Staffordshire County Council will receive £33.3 million through the Local Authority Bus Grant from 2026/27 to 2028/29. This funding can be used to improve services for passengers, including introducing local fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for children and young people.</p><p> </p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Bus Services: Staffordshire","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1925386","method":"GET"}]}