In a significant budgetary announcement, the bus fare cap in England will rise to £3, impacting millions of users until the end of 2025.
- The current £2 cap, established to alleviate cost-of-living pressures, was set to expire, sparking concerns over potential fare increases.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that the new £3 cap will encompass most journeys, preserving affordability for daily commuters.
- Despite the increase, fares in London and Greater Manchester will remain unchanged due to separate funding arrangements.
- Environmental groups express criticism over the fare hike, arguing it is contrary to political and economic priorities.
The upcoming budget plan includes a pivotal change in the bus fare cap across England, increasing it from £2 to £3. This adjustment was confirmed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and aims to remain effective until the end of 2025. Initially, the £2 cap was introduced by the Conservative government to help mitigate cost-of-living challenges. However, with its expiration looming, there was mounting speculation about a consequent surge in fares.
The new £3 cap is intended to cover most bus journeys within England, ensuring continued affordability, especially vital for those in rural areas where buses are essential for daily commuting. Approximately 3.4 million people are dependent on regular bus service across the country. There was substantial concern that eliminating the current cap without adjustment could lead to a steep rise in fare prices, effectively negating the efforts made in the past two years.
While the national cap increases, bus fares in London and Greater Manchester are unaffected due to their distinct funding structures managed by Transport for London and local authorities, maintaining them at £1.75 and £2 respectively. The Confederation of Passenger Transport has endorsed the cap extension, emphasizing that it prevents a drastic rise in fares, though acknowledging challenges the new cap might pose for frequent bus users.
Bill Hiron, chair of Eastern Transport Holdings, voiced that retaining the £2 cap is beneficial, citing potential issues had fares reverted to previous higher rates of £5 to £7. Such increases could have deterred bus usage altogether, presenting hardships for commuters. Greenpeace, however, criticized the fare increase. Paul Morozzo of Greenpeace UK described the raise as a misstep politically, economically, and environmentally, asserting that buses serve as a crucial support to lower-income communities.
Implementing the £3 fare cap is aimed at maintaining bus travel affordability while addressing concerns from operators regarding the sustainability of the previous cap. As the changes unfold, stakeholders and passengers alike will be monitoring its impact on public transport utilization across England.
The fare cap increase to £3 aims to maintain bus accessibility, balancing affordability and sustainability amidst mounting critiques.
