A new temporary scheme aims to help bus, school and community transport operators in Wales with exceptional fuel costs.
The scheme will see 7 million GBP distributed through local authorities to help protect essential services throughout 2026/27, and aims to recognise the ‘significant pressures’ that high and volatile fuel costs place on bus operators, school transport providers and community transport services across Wales.
Funded by the Welsh Government; the Bus Services Support Grant (BSSG) Plus scheme will also seek to protect passengers from fare increases – which can and have been a result of higher fuel prices.
The Government has stressed that the scheme is a temporary measure, and will be removed either once the average price of diesel remains under 170p per litre for four consecutive weeks, the 7 million GBP is fully used, or at the end of the 2026-27 financial year – whichever happens first.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, said:We recognise the significant pressures that exceptional and sustained fuel costs are placing on bus, school and community transport services across Wales.
These services provide vital connections for communities, helping people to access education, employment, healthcare and other essential services. We have been working closely with local authorities and the transport sector to understand the pressures they are facing and the potential impact on services.
In response, we have developed BSSG Plus, a temporary and targeted package of support designed to help address exceptional fuel-cost pressures and protect essential services.”
In the meantime, we continue to monitor fuel prices and work closely with the sector and local government.
BSSG Plus exists alongside previous support provided by the Welsh Government, with the 2026-27 FY having seen existing Bus Network Grant funding increase from 42 million GBP to 44.5 million GBP, and BSSG funding increase from 25.5 million GBP to 26.55 million GBP – an additional 3 million GBP before BSSG Plus is considered.
