Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking with local authorities to make public transport more affordable.

Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services is one of the government’s top priorities and we know how important this is for passengers and for local growth.

The government is investing over £150 million to deliver a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2025 to help millions access better opportunities and promote greater bus use by passengers. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new fares initiatives, introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.