New £3bn deal puts councils in the driving seat for future of bus services

Investment means authorities can plan ahead on a local level

- by Tom Patterson

Local councils are to get more controls over bus services following a long-awaited multiyear funding announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The DfT says councils will have the "freedom to spend their allocations in whatever way they see fit" as it announced a £3billion investment.

This could include lowering fares, introducing new routes and creating safer bus stops.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "After years of decline, better buses are finally on the way.