Bus Fares Slashed to £2 Outside London!
From this Sunday until the end of March, over 130 bus operators outside London will charge no more than £2 for a single ticket, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced. Backed by a hefty £60 million government fund, this bold move slashes average fares on short journeys by nearly a third, helping commuters hit hard by the cost-of-living crunch.
Cheaper Travel for Work, School and Medical Visits
Currently, a three-mile bus ride outside London costs around £2.80, with rural long-distance trips sometimes soaring past £5. The new £2 cap aims to ease travel for essential trips like education, work, and medical appointments.
Smart savers can enjoy routes like Leeds to Scarborough at £13, Lancaster to Kendal for £12.50, and Plymouth to Exeter just £9.20.
Government and Experts Back The £2 Fare Cap
Transport Secretary Mark Harper hailed the cap as “a fantastic way to start the new year,” expecting it to cut two million cars from the roads. He said, “Buses are key to a clean, efficient, and affordable transport system, which is why we’re investing £60 million to help people ‘Get Around for £2.’”
Campaign for Better Transport director Norman Baker, a former Lib Dem transport minister, called the cap “a win-win” for struggling households, traffic congestion, and the environment. He urged for the £2 limit to be made permanent, highlighting its role in reviving bus services slashed by funding cuts over the past decade.
Will The Bus Boom Last?
The DfT pumped more than £2 billion into bus services during the pandemic and says it will consider ongoing support when emergency funding ends in March. Bus Minister Richard Holden hopes the fare cut will boost passenger numbers back to pre-pandemic levels.
“We want people back on buses so services can become self-sustaining without constant subsidies,” he told PA news agency. “Ridership is recovering, but there’s more to do.”
Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “We look forward to welcoming more customers onboard as the £2 fare cap launches in January. It’s a great deal that makes bus travel a cheaper, greener way to get around this winter.”
