By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: England bus fare cap will move to £3 in 2025, Starmer reveals
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > News > England bus fare cap will move to £3 in 2025, Starmer reveals
News

England bus fare cap will move to £3 in 2025, Starmer reveals

Tim Deakin
Tim Deakin
Published: October 28, 2024
Share
Mixed response to England bus fare cap lifting to £3 in 2025
SHARE

The bus fare cap in England outside London will rise to £3 on 1 January 2025 and sit at that level for the duration of next year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced.

In a surprise pre-emption of the fare cap’s fate after 31 December that was expected to be revealed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on 30 October, Mr Starmer shared the policy direction following a pre-budget speech in the West Midlands two days beforehand.

He notes that the £2 cap is funded only until 31 December but adds that the government knows “how much this matters, particularly in rural communities.”

Unexpected clarity on the bus fare cap rising to £3 follows speculation in some parts of the mainstream media that it would be axed entirely after its funding expires at the end of 2024.

A source within the bus industry told routeone in mid-October that such an approach had grown more likely in recent weeks, with suggestions that the Treasury and the Department for Transport were at loggerheads over the cap’s future in a battle that had become more likely to be won by the former.

While Mr Starmer’s confirmation that the fare cap is to remain for 2025 has been cautiously welcomed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), hope had existing among some stakeholders that any rise would be restricted to £2.50 for the first six months of the year before going to £3 for the remainder of 2025.

CPT says it is pleased that the government “has taken steps to implement a managed exit from the £2 fare cap in line with our proposals,” noting that a hard end to the cap has been avoided.

However, the approach revealed by Mr Starmer “will still present challenges for many passengers, particularly those who rely on buses as their primary means of affordable travel,” CPT adds. It is also concerned about the potential impact on bus services if changes to the fare cap are not matched by long-term funding security.

The Confederation plans to work with local and national government to ensure bus travellers in England understand how fares will change and are informed of various ticketing options.

CPT Chief Executive Graham Vidler says that without a consistent funding strategy for buses, “we risk seeing essential services, especially in rural and underserved areas, become unsustainable over time. Affordable travel should not come at the cost of service viability.”

He adds: “CPT will continue to engage with government and local authorities to advocate for funding and support needed to maintain and strengthen the UK’s bus network. By aligning fare structures with sustained investment, we can protect essential routes, ensure affordability, and promote a reliable bus network that serves communities across the country.”

TAGGED:£2£32025bus fare capEnglandincreasekeir starmer
Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
ByTim Deakin
Tim is Editor of routeone and has worked in both the coach and bus and haulage industries.
Previous Article Yutong TC9 for Anitas Coaches of Stansted Airport Anita’s Coaches takes delivery of a Yutong TC9 midi
Next Article Alfa Travel awards Alfa Travel recognised at industry awards
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd