Cheshire East is encouraging more people to hop on board local buses so it can continue to increase its passenger numbers and get more government grants to improve services.

The council has been allocated more than £5.4 million in a local bus grant for 2025/26 from the Department for Transport.

And on Wednesday (July 16) highways and transport committee chair Mark Goldsmith (Ind) said the latest bus service improvement plan (BSIP) would build on the success of the previous one.

"This success was officially recognised when the Department for Transport ask people who are riding on buses all across the UK about their trip," he said.

"The satisfaction of Cheshire East bus users is in the UK top 10 of all councils.

"It is far higher than bus users in Manchester and Liverpool, who get far, far more funding than we do.

"Additionally, our passenger numbers are also up too, which bucks the national trend, which all proves that we are delivering good bus services with the money we get and this BSIP should bring further improvements."

He said it will help revamp some of the older bus stops and introduce real time displays giving accurate times of the next buses.

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Because Cheshire East has high car ownership the government only gives the council £20 per person per year for buses.

"That compares to the £100 per person per year for Warrington and the £270 a year for Plymouth," said Cllr Goldsmith.

"Getting more car owners to use the bus service just once or twice a week would help us support a much bigger network of services throughout the borough."

Cllr Hannah Moss (Mobberley, Con) had asked at last month's highways meeting and asked again at full council yesterday if the £1 service for 16-19 year olds could be extended to all those under the age of 19, but was told this was not affordable.

"Sixteen to 19 years old was chosen because this is the age when people get the opportunity to purchase a moped or car.

If they leave regular bus use at this age, many will not return until they retire and get that free bus pass," said Cllr Goldsmith.

Crewe councillor Hazel Faddes (Lab) praised the BSIP saying it would increase passenger numbers.

Macclesfield councillor Fiona Wilson (Lab) said one service in her area had seen usage increase by 12 per cent since the improvements 'so it clearly shows the investment will lead to more active travel journeys rather than car use'.

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The council approved the BSIP and grant funding with 68 voting in favour, one against and two abstaining.