The UK government has raised the cap on bus fares in England from £2 to £3 which will run until the end of 2025. The cap was initially introduced by the previous Conservative government to help with the cost of living and was due to expire at the end of December. While bus fares in metropolitan areas such as London and Greater Manchester will remain unchanged, the increase will impact about 3.4 million people in England who rely on buses as their primary means of affordable travel.
Complications have been raised regarding the sudden cessation of the £2 cap. Returning bus fares to £5 or £7 would cause dire consequences as riders may consider alternative modes of transportation, reports Bill Hiron, chair of Eastern Transport Holdings. Greenpeace UK also stated that lifting the cap doesn’t make economic or environmental sense, stating that buses are a “critical lifeline” to millions of people, especially those on lower incomes.
The Confederation of Passenger Transport has expressed its support of raising the cap from £2 to £3 for avoiding a shock to travelers, but raises concerns as it an increase may still present challenges for many passengers, especially those who rely on buses as their primary means of affordable travel. Conversely, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged that raising the fare limit to £3 may be inconvenient for commuters in the wake of a pandemic but was essential to help rural communities where many rely on buses.
Although the increased £3 cap may cause hardships for some people, particularly those who depend on buses for affordable travel, it could improve the transport industry’s overall economic outlook in the long term. If the government truly prioritizes the needs of the poorest in society, Greenpeace UK’s senior transport campaigner Paul Morozzo called upon the government to rethink this decision at the first opportunity
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