Mansfield and Warsop MP Ben Bradley has welcomed £1,210,428 of Government funding for bus companies and Nottinghamshire County Council to extend the £2 bus fare cap. This is part of a £500 million investment to freeze bus fares nationally and improve vital local routes–ensuring passengers can continue to ‘Get Around for £2’ while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The Government is investing £200 million in extending the cap for single bus fares at £2 outside of London until October 2023, and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024.
Although the initial cap–announced at the start of this year–was introduced as a temporary measure, the scheme has successfully encouraged many more people to use local bus services, benefitting local economies, supporting jobs, and helping passengers with the cost of living.
A further £300 million has been announced to protect routes and services that are relied on for work, education, medical appointments, and shopping. As part of this, local transport authorities will receive £160 million to improve fares, services, and infrastructure, while £140 million will directly support operators in protecting essential services.
Commenting, Ben Bradley stated:
‘Really pleased that Government is continuing to help people with the cost of living by extending the cap on bus travel. Bus travel is a vital resource for people to get to work and other activities and it is important to see that recognised by Government in this announcement.’
‘This announcement comes on top of the £94 billion package of cost-of-living support that is already in place which has helped thousands of my constituents with things such as energy bills.’
‘Locally I recognise that many people have challenges with the reliability of the bus service and the County council are stepping in to support that with £4 million of subsidy to try and keep services on track. We’re also rolling out an on-demand service, including an evening service in Mansfield, to try and make our bus services sustainable for the future.’
Commenting, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
‘Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day.’
‘This half a billion pounds investment will help people save money amid cost-of-living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.’
