BUS services in the county look set to receive a mammoth £86million boost.

Worcestershire County Council has submitted a bid to improve public transport across the county.

If the bid is successful, the council will invest the money into improving the frequency of bus services in Worcestershire, buying low-emission buses and improvements to the road network, as well as improved ticketing and user-access.

The bid comes under the council's Bus Service Improvement Plan, with funding coming from the government's Build Back Better initiative.

Cllr Alan Amos, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This is a hugely ambitious scheme designed to completely transform and expand the bus network across the whole county once and for all, and not just tinker at the edges.

"There needs to be considerable improvement in bus service frequencies, reliability, punctuality, and an extension of services into the evenings and at weekends.

"Public Transport forms the backbone of Worcestershire’s transport networks and it is widely recognised that the most successful economies boast strong, well-integrated passenger transport networks which enable the efficient movement of people.

"Public transport is invaluable as it enables Worcestershire to remain ‘open for business’ and welcomes growth by making the most efficient use of its transport network capacity.

"We will continue to work closely with our bus operators to deliver real benefits for our residents, businesses and visitors to our beautiful county. We will be ready for the future."

Additional focuses for the plan include a review of bus service priorities in the county and improving infrastructure.

Also included are cheaper tickets and investigating the impact roadworks have on public transport.

Post-Covid, the bus service improvement plan seeks to initially stabilise the bus network.

Council plans say the plans will improve the bus services locally, as well as supporting improvements to the county's infrastructure.

You can view the plan in full by visiting www.worcestershire.gov.uk/BSIP