Last stop for £25m minibus fund applications13 January 2015

Transport operators are being urged to apply now for a share of a £25 million minibus fund, with the application deadline of 15 January fast approaching.

The scheme – announced in November by the Department for Transport – is designed to help provide services for rural communities.

Not-for-profit organisations can bid for a vehicle. The DfT says smaller operators and those that already provide such a service will be favoured.

Each bidder can apply for one vehicle and must agree that the vehicle will be used only for voluntary services and will not be used to compete for bus service contracts.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin says voluntary operators provide vital support: "We want to do all we can to support them and this huge amount of money will help those who already do so much to help their community.

"I want to ask all those organisations who may struggle to put aside money to come forward and apply for this funding so they can get the vehicles they need."

Operators do not need to have previously expressed an interest but must submit their application by 15 January.

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Author
Laura Cork

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