Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on passenger numbers and fares of the £2 bus fare cap expiring.

The Government recognises the important role that fares can play in supporting bus use and will introduce a £2 National Bus Fare Cap from January 2027, backed by £400 million of Government funding.

The Department for Transport's evaluation of the previous £2 fare cap found that it contributed to an estimated 5% increase in bus patronage in England outside London during its first ten months, equivalent to around 30 million additional journeys.

The Department continues to evaluate the impact of the National Bus Fare Cap to inform its wider approach to affordable bus travel.