Bus tickets capped at £2 by 130 companies amid cost of living
Next month, more than 130 bus operators outside London will begin capping single adult fares at £2 as part of a government-funded scheme to help people save money.
National Express and Stagecoach are amongst the operators who will introduce the cap in England. It will start from 1 January to 31 March.
In England, single local bus fares cost £2.80 on average but can be more than £5 in rural areas, the government says.
In Manchester, Liverpool and West Yorkshire – all of which have Labour mayors – a £2 cap had already been introduced as part of a longer-term scheme.
Labour have called the government’s plan a “half measure” after “years of soaring fares.”
‘Buses most popular public transport’
The plan – announced in September, by the Department of Transport is set to make a difference, as buses are the most popular form of public transport in England. They make up half of all journeys.
The government will spend £60m on the cap to “help families, students and commuters” while taking “two million car journeys off the road.”
The latest official figures show the number of people travelling by bus has been rising – but it’s still well below pre-Covid levels.
The figures come amid rising bus fares, with local bus fares are up 4.2% in the three months to 30 June when compared with the same period last year.
The new campaign will help the bus industry recover, whilst also allowing passengers save, amid a soaring cost of living, the government said.
The cap was “an import step” in ensuring passengers got a fair deal, they added.
The charity – The Campaign for Better Transport, has welcomed the cap but has called for it to be extended.
Spokesman Norman Baker said: “Capping bus fares will help struggling households, cut traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and inject new life into dwindling bus services.
“It’s such a win-win that it shouldn’t be restricted to three months, but should be extended indefinitely, for the sake of our pockets, our economy and our environment.”
