Andy Burnham, the newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield and Greater Manchester Mayor, has confirmed plans to introduce a £2 cap on bus fares across the UK if he becomes Prime Minister. The policy, already implemented in Greater Manchester, is designed to help people return to work and improve community connectivity.
National Rollout Plans
Burnham intends to extend the fare cap nationwide, building on his regional success. A source close to him told The Telegraph: “One of his proudest achievements as mayor was his intervention on buses.” The move comes amid speculation that Sir Keir Starmer may resign, positioning Burnham as a potential successor.
Benefits of Low-Cost Transport
Burnham has previously stated: “In an ideal world, I would like to cut the cost of public transport as low as possible. I have made it free for 16 to 18-year-olds and recently removed the 9.30am restriction on older and disabled people’s bus passes. Low-cost or free public transport is, in my view, a brilliant way to get people back to work and connect communities.”
Sustaining the £2 Cap
In 2025, Burnham said: “We hope that the measures we are taking will continue the increase in patronage we have seen since the introduction of the original £2 cap in September 2022 and the launch of the Bee Network in September 2023. The more that people use the system, the easier it will be for us to sustain the low-fare structure.” He added that a mid-year review in 2025 would assess the financial outlook, but confirmed the cap would remain for the whole of 2025.
Financial Considerations
Burnham acknowledged the cost challenges, noting: “We understand it is easier and cheaper to maintain a £2 cap in a regulated system and expensive for the Government to subsidise it in a deregulated one, but they have maintained the principle of a cap.” He highlighted that Greater Manchester was the first to propose the £2 cap in March 2022, introducing it in September 2022 ahead of the national scheme.
