The Get Around For £2 bus fare cap scheme will be extended again.
The Government says that the cap had been due to rise to £2.50 but will instead remain at £2 and continue until 31 December 2024 because of HS2 funding diverted to the new Network North plan.
This takes total government investment to cap bus fares at £2 to nearly £600 million.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said:
“Buses are the most popular form of public transport, which is why we are continuing to back our buses with record high levels of funding – supporting vital bus services and offering affordable travel for passengers.
“This increase in funding to deliver more reliable, frequent and affordable local bus services – and to extend the £2 bus fare cap – has only been possible with the redirected HS2 funding secured by this government making the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
Since the £2 bus fare cap was introduced across the UK on 1 January 2023, millions of passengers have benefitted from lower fares. The Get Around for £2 scheme has helped cut bus fares in England outside London by 7.4% between June 2022 and June 2023, with savings even bigger in rural areas where fares have dropped by almost 11%.
According to initial analysis from a recent report published by the Department for Transport (DfT), the scheme has helped encourage people to get back on the bus, with almost half of respondents saying the fare cap is the main reason they are using the bus more.
Today also sees community services for older people and vulnerable passengers receive a 60% funding boost. These ‘lifesaver’ services are vital for older and vulnerable people to get to the shops, medical appointments and see loved ones.
The funding increase, made through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), will help keep fares down and has been hailed by charities and vulnerable passengers who have difficulty using regular buses and rely on community services to get around and combat loneliness.
This boost comes as part of the government’s nearly £260 million annual BSOG payments to support bus services in England outside of London. This also includes up to £213 million for commercial bus operators and, for the tenth year, £42 million for local authorities.
Bus operators are not forced to apply the cap, Nottingham City Transport is expected to confirm their position in due course.
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