The Confederation of Passenger Transport has responded to reports that the bus fare cap scheme in England will be extended beyond the end of this year.
According to news sources, the Chancellor is due to announce in her Spending Review speech this afternoon that the £3 fare will remain in place until March 2027.
It had recently been predicted that the latest extension in October, in which the fare rose from £2, would be the last.
Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, says: “While most passengers already pay less than the £3 cap, we recognise that low headline fares are an important part of the mix to enhance buses’ appeal, so the industry will again work closely with government to make this latest extension work.
“Also needed from the Spending Review today is long-term investment in buses across the country to maintain connectivity, tackle congestion and improve bus speeds, no matter where you live.”
What began in January 2023 as a temporary cost-of-living measure had already been prolonged twice by the Conservative government in that same year.
Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, speaking in May at a Transport Committee hearing, added to earlier hints that the government was instead considering a more targeted intervention, such as reduced fares for the young.
She said during that session that only one in six journeys in England benefited from the fare cap.
David Astill, Chair of ALBUM and Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport, told routeone last month he did not think the scheme would continue beyond the scheduled end date of December 31. He said he would like to see public funding invested in growing the network rather than capping fares.
He added: “The issue with the fare cap is there always has to be an exit strategy and, the longer it continues, the harder that exit strategy becomes.”
