Andy Burnham extends Greater Manchester’s £2 bus fare cap across England

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People on a bus

People on a bus / Credit: Mitchell Johnson (via Unsplash)

Single bus fares are to be capped at £2 across England from next year, it has been announced.

Andy Burnham famously introduced this money-saving measure on the Bee Network here in Greater Manchester back in September 2022 when he was Mayor of the city region, and it’s proved to be a big success ever since, so it comes as no surprise that this would be something he would look to extend nationwide once he became Prime Minister.

It’s only his second full day in office, but in a bid to further help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need, Andy Burnham has now announced that millions of passengers nationwide will benefit from cheaper bus fares in 2027.

Backed by £400 million extra funding, the cap on fares will help millions of people across the country access affordable bus travel more easily.

The Government says this measure is aiming to ‘break down barriers to travel’.

Currently, fares have been capped at £3 until the end of March 2027, but today’s move will stop prices jumping next spring and lower fares to £2 from January, as well as extending the cap until the end of 2027 to give local authorities more time to plan with confidence.

The bus fare cap comes alongside the first rail fare freeze in 30 years announced earlier this year, saving passengers £600 million, and commuters on some routes saving more than £300 a year.

It also comes after the Government announced £100m for free bus travel for all children in England aged five-15 on participating services this summer as part of the The Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Andy Burnham is extending Greater Manchester’s £2 bus fare cap across England / Credit: TfGM

“Good, affordable transport links are an essential,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham. 

“But for too long people have said that cheaper transport isn’t an option. I don’t accept that. I’ve done it before and I will do it again now – a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country.

“Lower fares will help people get to where they need to, giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living. As I said on my first day in office, I will build a country for everyone, everywhere. That means more connected communities, better access to opportunities, and a lighter load on people’s lives.”

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The Government will consult on ways to award extra planning powers to Mayors to give them the final say over decisions on public transport in their areas.

These greater powers will help make sure local leaders have the tools they need to meet the needs of local people, and the Government will be consulting on these measures to make sure that they are designed in the best interest of local communities.  

Featured Image – Mitchell Johnson (via Unsplash)

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