The petition of residents of the constituency of Coventry South,
Declares that when the £2 bus fare cap was introduced in January 2020, it became a crucial lifeline for people across the country who rely on buses to get to work, attend medical appointments and visit family; further that this cap was introduced specifically to address the cost-of-living crisis, ensuring that bus travel remained affordable and accessible as households felt financial pressures intensify; further that despite the cost-of-living crisis being far from over, the government now plans to raise the fare cap to £3 from January 2025; further that a £1 increase could add hundreds of pounds to annual costs for daily commuters and may isolate others entirely from essential services and community support; and notes the positive impact of the £2 fare cap on people, especially for those in rural areas, where public transport options are more limited.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to reconsider changes to the £2 bus fare cap, and to provide adequate support through 2025 to ensure that public transport is made easier, cheaper and more accessible.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Zarah Sultana, Official Report, 29 November 2024; Vol. 757, c. 1090.]
[P003021]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood):
The Government know how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education and work and to access vital services. On 28 October, the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government intend to introduce a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. This will replace the existing £2 cap, which was launched in January 2023 and will run out at the end of this year.
Under the plans of the previous Administration, the current cap on bus fares had been due to expire on 31 December 2024, and prior to the Budget on 30 October, there was no further funding available to maintain the cap beyond this point. We were able to secure over £150 million to deliver the £3 cap for the entirety of next year, to ensure millions of people can continue to access affordable bus fares and better opportunities all over the country. The cap could particularly benefit passengers in rural communities and towns, who could still save up to 80% on some routes compared to the commercial fare.
The introduction of the £3 cap does not mean that all single fares will rise to £3. Routes where fares are less than £3 will only be allowed to increase by inflation. Local authorities and mayors in combined authorities can also fund their own schemes to keep fares down, as is already the case in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
This funding is part of a £1 billion boost for buses set out at the Budget to help local areas deliver high quality, reliable bus services and protect the vital routes that so many people rely on in the next financial year. This includes £712 million of funding for local authorities in England outside London to support and improve services, of which West Midlands combined authority has been allocated just under £50 million. This funding could be used to support the introduction of further fare initiatives.