Despite recent media reports that the government will not extend the £2 bus fare cap scheme in England beyond the planned end in December, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) remains hopeful it will continue in some form.
CPT has warned the government that removal of the subsidy for the £2 single fare cap could be harmful.
Chief Executive Graham Vidler, speaking on 5 September at the launch in Derby of the body’s report The Economic Impact of Local Bus Services, says: “It would be a real shock to many passengers — an immediate move to commercial fares from the £2 level that they’ve grown used to over the last two years. Nothing is decided within government at the moment, and I suspect nothing can be decided until the spending review next month.”
After a panel discussion of the report with, among others, local transport minister Simon Lightwood, Mr Vidler adds: “We’ve been very clear with government about the need to exit the fare cap with caution.
“We recommend a phased withdrawal, stepping up to perhaps a £2.50 cap and perhaps subsequently a £3 cap, so we can manage the journey for passengers and we’re very confident that it will listen to that message, but we do need clarity quickly so we can prepare for 1 January 2025.
“We’ve given government some very strong evidence about the benefits of the fare cap, the risks of removing it, and lots of ideas for how we can move forward. We’re confident it will listen and we’re pressing it to respond quickly.”
