North East Mayor has stepped in to cap adult
bus fares in the region at a maximum of £2.50 today - saving
passengers at least 50p every journey from January compared to
the Government's £3 limit announced in the budget.
Adult single bus fares in the North East are expected to range
from £1.90 to £2.50 single as a result of the decision, with
commercial operators deciding their own prices for shorter
journeys below the cap.
The Mayor and North East Combined Authority cabinet have also
committed to keep the region's £1 flat fare for passengers aged
21 and under across public transport in 2025 with the ambition
this stays in place across the region until 2028.
Alongside good value all day travel Rover tickets, the new fare
cap will be subsidised locally by the Combined Authority and is
aimed at keeping the cost of travel as low as possible in the
year ahead until December 2025.
North East Mayor , said: “I am
determined to deliver a green, integrated transport network that
works for all – and a huge part of that is making fares cheaper
every day to help local people to travel by public transport to
college, to their place of work and other opportunities.
“I am committed to make public transport much more affordable and
I can confirm I will cap all adult single bus fares in the North
East at a maximum of £2.50 from January 2025, saving passengers
at least 50p for each and every journey.
“We are also keeping the £1 fare for young people aged 21 next
year and I will do everything I possibly can to keep this in
place until 2028.
“This means the maximum amount you will pay for a single bus fare
in the North East next year will be £2.50 - saving passengers
money each and every day, helping more people travel affordably
and encouraging more people to use the bus whenever they can.
This is a huge achievement, and I'm pleased to fund this new cap
to keep travel costs as low as they can be.
“These fares will support local people, helping families across
the region save money on transport costs and keep more money in
their pocket. I am determined to tackle child poverty and every
decision I take is with this firmly in my mind. We have also
encouraged local operators to keep fares low generally, and
operators will set their prices for shorter journeys below the
cap which are expected to range from £1.90 to £2.50 to further
support residents.”
Cllr Martin Gannon, Lead Member for Transport and Leader
of Gateshead Council, said: “The Mayor and cabinet have
set out to massively improve our bus travel and this is another
determined move to make every day public transport use more
appealing and affordable for residents.
“I wholeheartedly support the delivery of the new regional bus
fare cap – ensuring no single bus fare in the North East next
year will be more than £2.50. This will help us boost the number
of people using the bus while making it cheaper. This is in the
best interest of local people.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Bus operator's participating in the scheme is dependent on
individual operators taking part in the national £3 scheme.
