The UK government has announced a new £2 cap on single bus journeys from January to March 2023, which will be supported by up to £60m in funding.
The move is intended to help passengers with travel costs over the winter months due to growing pressures from the rising cost of living.
Bus fares vary across different parts of the country and between bus operators and can reach nearly £6 for a single journey in some rural areas. The new cap offers potential savings of more than £60 a month for these journeys, if passengers took four single trips a week.
The average single fare for a three-mile journey is estimated at more than £2.80, meaning that the new fare could save passengers almost 30% of this cost on each trip they take.
The government announced £130m last month to protect bus routes and services across the country.
Grant Shapps, transport secretary, said: “Buses are by far and away the most used form of public transport, so ensuring that almost all bus journeys are no more than £2 will assist passengers over the winter months and provide direct help to thousands of households across the country.”
“This £60m boost will mean everyone can affordably get to work, education, the shops and doctor’s appointments.
“We know people will be feeling the pressure of rising costs this winter, and so we have been working hard this summer to provide practical concrete help that will lower daily expenditure.”
The new initiative follows the allocation of more than £2bn to support bus services in England through the pandemic and a commitment to fund improved services, new bus priority measures and new electric or hydrogen buses as part of Bus back better, the government’s national bus strategy, published in 2021.
During the pandemic bus passenger numbers declined significantly and figures show usage has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The cap is estimated to take at least two million car journeys off the roads, cutting congestion and pollution for everyone.
The government has said will continue to work closely with bus operators and local authorities and consider future support to help passengers continued access to reliable and affordable bus services after March.
