Purpose

To seek the Cabinet Member’s approval to extend the registration and acceptance
 

Decision

That the Cabinet Member:

Approves the updated registration and acceptance of the National Bus Fare Cap grant from the Department for Transport (DfT) (provided under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003) for the extension of the National Bus Fare Cap scheme from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. 

Reasons for the decision

The grant funding will ensure that bus passengers throughout Derbyshire can access the lower rate of travel on tendered services afforded by inclusion into the NBFC scheme and that are operated by a non-registered BSOG operator.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: Not accepting the NBFC grant from the DfT - This would mean that the Council would not be able to offer Derbyshire’s bus passengers the lower £3.00 capped fare on some of its tendered services. This would be viewed negatively by passengers who access those bus services and may be perceived as inequitable.