Campaign for Better Transport is calling on Chancellor to give people who rely on
public transport a boost in her forthcoming Budget with more
affordable bus and train fares.
The transport charity is calling on the Chancellor to extend the
£2 bus fare cap, introduce discounted bus fares for children and
young people, and freeze rail fares for 2025.
Silviya Barrett from the transport charity said: “Millions of
people who rely on buses and trains are likely to see their fares
go up next year, yet keeping public transport affordable helps
boost the economy and reduces carbon emissions. Drivers have
enjoyed a 14-year fuel duty freeze, so it's about time public
transport passengers were given the same treatment. At the
moment, it can be cheaper to drive or fly than take public
transport and that shouldn't be the case.”
The temporary £2 single bus fare cap was introduced in January
2023 and is due to end next month. The fare cap has proved hugely
successful helping boost passenger numbers and keep bus travel
affordable.
Regulated rail fares went up by 4.9 per cent in March. The annual
rise for 2025 is currently tipped to be 3.6 per cent, in line
with July's Retail Price Index figure.
Campaign for Better Transport argues that to promote economic
growth, meet net zero targets and reduce air pollution, the
Government should be encouraging people to travel by public
transport by making it more affordable.
ENDS
For further information please contact the press office
on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
Between 1997 and 2022, using RPI as a measure, the cost of using
and owning a motor vehicle increased by 94%, whilst rail fares
have increased by 151% and bus and coach fares by 227%. This
means rail fares have increased 1.6 times as fast as the cost of
driving, and bus and coach fares 2.4 times as fast (DfT (2023),
Table TSGB1308a: Retail and Consumer Prices Indices, transport
components).
