Millions of people in England have enjoyed cheaper bus travel
this year thanks to the government’s unprecedented actions to
lower bus fares and protect services.
Yesterday (21 September 2023), new
statistics from the Department of Transport
(DfT) showed the
overall price of bus fares in England, outside London, has
dropped by 7.4% between June 2022 and June 2023, mainly due to
the extension of the Get Around for
£2 scheme.
The £2 fare cap has cut travel costs, particularly in rural
areas, where buses are crucial for so many people to get around,
with the average fare dropping by 10.8% in rural and
non-metropolitan parts of England.
When adjusted for inflation, local bus fares in England, outside
of London, for April to June 2023 were comparable to those seen
in 2007.
Roads Minister said:
Our ‘Get Around for £2’ scheme has slashed overall bus fares for
millions across England, as we continue to help people save money
on travel, boost transport connections and grow the economy.
Whether you want to visit loved ones, head to work or attend a
medical appointment, taking the bus continues to be a vital link
for people to get around.
Starting in January 2023 and originally scheduled to end on 31
March 2023, the Get Around for £2 scheme has been extended until
31 October this year and will then run at £2.50 until the end of
November 2024 thanks to £200 million in government investment.
The £2 bus fare cap comes alongside the recently
announced £300 million to prevent
cuts to bus routes and improve the quality of services into
2025. This takes total government spending to keep fares low
and support buses to £3.5 billion since 2020.
DfT has also
recently confirmed £129 million to roll out
hundreds more zero emission buses, with the first £25 million
prioritised specifically for rural communities. This brings total
government investment in new zero-emission buses to almost £500
million.
In June 2023, the government announced a broad range of steps being
taken to boost rural communities on housing, transport,
digital connectivity and jobs.
The Unleashing rural
opportunity plan outlines how government will deliver
the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy and create
better-paid jobs and opportunities right across the country.
Rural areas already contribute 15% to England’s economy, which
amounts to over £250 billion of our national GDP, but the programme seeks to
unlock further growth.
This also builds on rural proofing
work by the Department for Environment Food and Rural
Affairs (DEFRA), whereby all government policy is examined to
ensure it is delivering for rural communities.
, Minister for Rural Affairs,
said:
We are putting the needs of people and businesses in rural areas
at the heart of policy-making. Bus services are a vital part of
this, as a lifeline for communities and in supporting local
businesses in our rural economy.
By easing the cost of transport in some of our most remote areas,
we can help bring people together and build on the wider work we
are doing to help rural communities thrive.
