£2 fare scheme extension announced
Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced the extension of the £2 single fare scheme to the end of 2024. Previously, the scheme was to set the fare cap at £2.50 after this month.
“This will help make buses more attractive for passengers during a cost-of-living crisis” – Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport
Commenting on the announcement, Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “We welcome the further funding for bus fares in England. This will help make buses more attractive for passengers during a cost-of-living crisis.
“However, the Government is giving the sector mixed messages through its imagined war on motorists. It has been two years since the National Bus Strategy claimed there should be bus lanes wherever required. The government is now undermining the few that are already in place.
“We must move away from a procession of short-term fixes and instead build a long-term sustainable settlement to unlock the economic, net zero and social wellbeing potential of buses. The continued absence of a funded long-term plan is undermining the confidence of industry to invest, and deterring passengers from choosing to use the bus.”
The news of the extension comes during the Conservative Party Conference, where headlines have focused on the announcement of the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2.
“Roughly 81% of passengers currently buy single tickets so this is a very significant step” – Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East
Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, said: “We are delighted that the £2.00 scheme for single fares is going to be extended. Roughly 81% of passengers currently buy single tickets so this is a very significant step.
“The bus already offers outstanding value on travel in our region, and this announcement only makes things better. For example, for an adult in Bedford, Cambridge or Peterborough, unlimited travel can cost as little as £2.61 a day with a 28-day MegaRider. We also feature the popular £1 single fare between Cambridge Rail Station, the City Centre and Biomedical Campus, and under-19’s and students get a 30% discount on ticket prices.
“We also look forward to seeing the details of the road improvements that have been promised. There is still so much work to be done to improve our roads and our local congestion, so we will just have to see how far this money can go.”