Parish Council Bus Shelter Grant Scheme
Example of a successfully refurbished Bus Shelter from the Bus Shelter Grant Scheme 2025-2026
Ampfield Parish Council: Before and after views:
- About the grant
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Hampshire County Council (HCC) has been allocated funding for 2026 to 2028 through the Department for Transport’s Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) Scheme (formerly BSIP). A portion of this funding has been designated to contribute towards the cost for eligible Parish Councils to replace or refurbish existing bus shelter(s) or to install a shelter at a new location (but at an existing bus stop).
The project aims to enhance engagement with public transport by improving infrastructure on local and commercial bus networks. The enhancement of parish council-owned bus shelter infrastructure will elevate awareness of these services by making them more visible to existing and potential passengers with more attractive, updated shelters to wait in. This, along with an improved passenger experience, aims to increase overall patronage.
The Parish Council Bus Shelter Grant stream will help prioritise Parish Councils who wish to improve existing bus shelters by providing funding for the refurbishment of an existing bus shelter or the purchase and installation of a new bus shelter.
The first round of this scheme excluded applications for bus shelters on new sites. The 2026-28 bus shelter grant scheme has been amended to permit funding of new bus shelters where certain conditions are met – including but not limited to; suitability of location, bus stop patronage and service frequency.
As part of this scheme, successful Parish Councils will be expected to promote information on local bus services via their websites and newsletters, and to work in partnership with the council to increase passenger patronage.
- Who can apply
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Parish Councils that successfully applied for a grant in the first round of this scheme can re-apply, but only for shelters not previously applied for.
Parish Councils that own and maintain existing bus shelters or wish to install a shelter at a new site, subject to certain conditions. Any application made is on the understanding that going forward you will be responsible for owning and maintaining this new asset.
- How much can I apply for
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You can apply for up to £15,000 per shelter site for either refurbishments costs or installation of a new shelter.
Please note that the level of funding available for Hampshire County Council to award through this scheme is limited.
Parish Councils must source their own quotes for a new shelter or refurbishment from commercial suppliers.
- New shelters (at an existing bus stop)
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If you wish to install a shelter at a new site, grant sums can be reserved, but the grant will not be awarded until it can be demonstrated that relevant permissions and permits from appropriate authorities and organisations have been obtained and/or explored.
In the first instance, please contact us for guidance on whether a new shelter is suitable for installation at an existing bus stop at [email protected]
- When and how to apply
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Organisations applying for a grant must complete an application form in full and submit all required supporting documentation.
This includes a Bus Shelter information spreadsheet and evidence of refurbishment, purchase and installation quotes.
Grant applicants must:
Award is subject to the timing of application submissions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, case-by-case basis as they are received. The Passenger Transport Team will aim to review each application and provide an outcome within six weeks of submission.
Please note that if we are unable to award the full amount requested, we may offer a reduced amount—provided we are confident that it will still enable you to deliver your proposed scheme effectively. If funding is awarded, successful applicants must sign, return, and comply with the terms and conditions set out in the Grant Agreement.
Due to the limited nature of the funding, the grant programme will close once all funds have been allocated. Any further eligible applications may be placed on a waiting list and considered if additional funding becomes available.
Background information on the Rural Bus Shelter Fund
- Contact us
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If you have any specific questions or need further information, please email the team at [email protected]