Under the new budget plan, England’s bus fare cap will increase to £3 from the previous £2 limit, affecting millions of commuters.
- The £3 cap will extend until the end of 2025, providing continued affordability and averting a potential fare surge upon the expiration of the previous cap.
- This measure particularly supports rural communities, offering crucial public transport for 3.4 million regular bus users.
- Special arrangements mean fare prices remain the same in London and Greater Manchester due to local funding provisions.
- Greenpeace and other critics argue the fare increase could hinder public transport accessibility for lower-income groups.
The new bus fare cap, announced in the upcoming budget, represents an increase to £3 from the previous £2 limit. This adjustment, put forth by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is poised to impact millions of commuters across England by extending the cap’s validity until the end of 2025. The initial £2 cap, set by the prior Conservative government as a measure to alleviate living costs, was slated to expire at the year’s end, prompting concerns about potential sharp increases in fare prices.
Sir Keir emphasised the significance of accessible bus travel, especially in rural regions where many people depend on buses for their everyday travel needs. Bus transport is a lifeline for approximately 3.4 million people in England. Concerns were voiced that eliminating the current cap could lead to a substantial rise in fares, undoing the assistance rendered over the past two years.
Despite the nationwide adjustment, bus fares in London and Greater Manchester remain stable, capped at £1.75 and £2, respectively, thanks to separate financial arrangements through Transport for London and local authorities. The Confederation of Passenger Transport praised the extension of the fare cap, acknowledging it averts a potentially drastic increase in costs for passengers at year-end. Nevertheless, they admitted that the new £3 cap presents fresh challenges for individuals reliant on buses as their affordable mainstay travel.
Prior to the official announcement, Bill Hiron, chair of Eastern Transport Holdings, warned that discarding the £2 cap could incite issues. A potential return to previous fare levels, ranging between £5 and £7, might have resulted in widespread hardship and discouraged bus usage altogether, as mentioned during an interview on BBC’s Today Programme.
Greenpeace strongly criticised the fare cap increase, denouncing the move as unnecessary. Paul Morozzo, a senior transport campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said, “Buses are a critical lifeline to millions of people, particularly those on lower incomes.” He argued that a government prioritising the least wealthy groups should reconsider this decision quickly. The policy is set to take effect early next year, balancing affordability while addressing operator concerns regarding the sustainability of the previous limit. Despite the criticism, passengers and campaigners will closely monitor the changes and their impact on public transport usage throughout England.
The new bus fare cap aims to sustain affordable transport while addressing operational concerns, though it faces criticism from environmental advocates.
