Bus Services: Concessions

(asked on 7th November 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to encourage more bus operators to participate in the £2 bus fare cap.


Answered by
Guy Opperman Portrait
Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This question was answered on 15th November 2023

The Government is investing nearly £600 million to deliver a £2 fare cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers save on their regular travel costs, which the Prime Minister recently announced would be extended until the end of 2024.


The Department for Transport has worked to ensure the fare cap is designed to be as equitable as possible in terms of its support for passengers across England, and worked closely with bus operators in designing and implementing the scheme to try and encourage their participation. This includes reducing the administrative burden on operators where possible. Ultimately, however, participation in the scheme from operators is voluntary and this is therefore a decision for them to take.

The Department for Transport's local bus fare statistics show that between June 22 and June 23, bus fares have dropped by 7.4% in England, outside London, and by 10.8% in rural and non-metropolitan parts of England. In Scotland, Wales and London, where the buses are devolved, fares increased by 10.3%, 6.3% and 6.0%, respectively

Reticulating Splines