Guidance

Apply for the COVID-19 bus service support grant

Information on applying for COVID-19 funding support for commercial bus operators in England.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
17 May 2021
Last updated
6 July 2021 — See all updates

This guidance was withdrawn on

The COVID-19 bus service support grant is now closed to new monthly claims and has been superseded by the Bus Recovery Grant. If you have been asked to participate in reconciliation for the COVID-19 bus service support grant, this will be concluded in early 2022. For queries, email CBSSG@dft.gov.uk.

Applies to England

The COVID-19 bus service support grant (CBSSG Restart) is now closed to new applicants

A Recovery Funding package was announced on 6 July 2021 and further information will be provided in due course.

The COVID-19 bus service support grant (CBSSG Restart) has been set up to support commercial bus operators in England in recognition of the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on their revenue due to reduced patronage.  

Payments aim to ensure that operators can provide service levels of up to 100% of pre-COVID-19 levels without the operator making a profit or a loss. 

Who is eligible?

To apply for CBSSG Restart funding using the online portal, you must be:

  1. A bus operator running commercial or community bus services in England, excluding London and Greater Manchester, which have their own funding schemes.

  2. Open to the public and meet the eligibility criteria for the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG). CBSSG Restart funding is supplementary to BSOG.

How to apply

Before completing a claim for CBSSG Restart funding, you must complete a declaration to register for funding. Email CBSSG@dft.gov.uk to complete the declaration.

Further information on scheme eligibility and the application process can be accessed through the online portal.

Operators should claim CBSSG Restart funding for each 4-week period. You can claim online for the most recent 4-week period.

If you want to claim for a previous period, email  CBSSG@dft.gov.uk.

To complete the claim, you should be an authorised representative of your operator, such as a transport manager or director.

You will need:

  1. Your operator details, including BSOG number, PSV licence number and section 22 number (for community operators only).

  2. Concessionary and non-concessionary passenger numbers and live kilometres for the services you are claiming for.

  3. Route numbers and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) service registrations for the services you are claiming for.

Apply for CBSSG

Reporting fraudulent activity

If you suspect that any form of fraud, bribery, theft or corruption is occurring as part of the government’s COVID-19 Bus Service Support Grant (CBSSG), you must report it. All reports will be managed in complete confidence.

To report an instance, call the Department for Transport (DfT) fraud hotline on 07827 843953 or email Counter-FraudBribery@dft.gov.uk.

Updates to this page

Published 17 May 2021
Last updated 6 July 2021 + show all updates

  1. The COVID-19 bus service support grant (CBSSG Restart) is now closed to new applicants.

  2. Added information on how to report fraud, bribery, theft or corruption associated with the COVID-19 Bus Service Support Grant (CBSSG).

  3. First published.

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