Starmer to tour Norfolk's buses as he promotes extra public transport funding
The visit marks a multi-year bus funding settlement announced by the Department for Transport
Sir Keir Starmer will spend Thursday touring Norfolk, as he investigates how £3 billion of Government bus funding is being rolled out across England.
The Prime Minister insisted "reliable bus travel shouldn't cost the earth" ahead of the visit, which is being carried out to mark a multi-year bus funding settlement recently announced by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Sir Keir is also seeking to promote other significant public transport interventions, including the decision to freeze rail fares at the Budget, and the £3 bus fare cap, which has been extended until 2027 and prevents the cost of single journeys rising above that price.
The Prime Minister said: "Buses are crucial to our communities - for many it's how we commute to work, take the kids to school or even help us get home safely after a Christmas tipple.
"Reliable bus travel shouldn't cost the earth - and without it, the threads that hold urban and rural communities together around Norfolk would unravel."
In Norfolk, some £46 million has been allocated as part of the initiative, and is being used to improve services, replace old bus stops, and keep fares affordable.
The Prime Minister was keen to portray the measures to improve bus services and keep their costs down as part of a wider package of other measures aimed at tackling the cost of living.
Sir Keir added: "This is on top of freezing rail fares, cutting energy bills by £150 a year and saving parents £7,500 a year through free childcare - and we have plans to go further to put more money back in people's pockets."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who will join Sir Keir on the visit, said: "After years of decline, better buses are on their way. We're putting our money where our mouth is, our £3 bus fare cap continues to help people with everyday journeys, all while recently investing over £45 million to boost services in Norfolk.
"This continues our plan to make public transport more affordable across the country - we've frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years and we're building Great British Railways to deliver better value for passengers.
"Whether it's the bus to work, the train to see family, or getting to a hospital appointment, affordable transport is bearing down on the cost of living to help grow our economy."