Where such services do not make money - typically in the evenings, at weekends and in rural areas - they rely on financial support through the local government transport grant and the bus service operators grant.

BBC: Bus support 'cut for second year'

The government is also cutting the Bus Service Operators' Grant by 20% from April next year.

BBC: Dartmoor villagers urged to use community bus

Leicestershire County Council has secured a government grant to improve bus lanes along the A426 between Blaby and Leicester via Glen Parva.

BBC: Bus lane protest

"Changes in the wider economy - including cuts by central and local government to things like concessionary fare reimbursement levels and the bus service operator's grant, have also taken their toll but despite this we do everything we can to keep fares as low as possible, " she added.

BBC: Bristol Mayor George Ferguson signs bus fare cut petition