The Government has extended the £2 bus fare cap until the end of October, and committed additional funding to help passengers save money on fares and support vulnerable bus routes.
- £2 bus fare extended until 31 October to help passengers with cost of living and then £2.50 until November 2024
- New £300 million Government investment will protect bus services into 2025 and keep travel affordable
- Funding boost will support the bus sector’s long-term recovery, taking total investment for buses to more than £3.5 billion since March 2020
In Surrey, the Government is providing an additional £3,923,922 for bus companies to extend the £2 bus fare cap. Operators taking part in the scheme include Stagecoach, Falcon, and Thames Valley Bus, meaning that residents across Surrey Heath will be able to benefit from this extension.
This measure comes as part of a £500 million investment to freeze bus fares nationally and improve vital local routes and will help ensure passengers across Surrey Heath can continue to ‘Get Around for £2’.
With an average single local bus ticket costing £2.80, this extension is expected to save users almost a third of the ticket price per journey and help with the cost of living. From November, the bus fare cap will then be set at £2.50 until November 2024.
Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth, said:
“We welcome this scheme which will help our residents to take the bus at a significantly reduced price, at a time when many are facing pressures from the rising cost of living.
“The bus industry is also facing a challenging time, resulting from the drop in passenger numbers and rising costs following the COVID-19 pandemic, so we hope that this scheme will also encourage new and old passengers to get back on the bus.
“We are currently investing £50m to improve bus services and grow patronage. This will see more zero emission buses, more real time passenger information and more measures to help buses run to time. When this £2 flat fare scheme ends, we will introduce a half fare scheme for young people aged 20 and under to further encourage bus usage.
“With transport accounting for 41% of carbon emissions in Surrey, it is hoped that cheaper bus travel will also lessen the need to travel by car for some journeys.”
Pictured, Stagecoach's Number 1 GOLD bus in Camberley town centre
