Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed that the current £3 cap on single bus fares in England will be scrapped and replaced by a new £2 maximum fare from January. The announcement marks a reversal of the increase from £2 to £3 that took effect at the start of 2025.
What is changing and when
The £3 cap, introduced after the previous £2 scheme ended in January 2025, will no longer apply on participating services. Instead, passengers will pay no more than £2 for a single journey, restoring the lower fare that many travellers had previously benefited from. The change is due to come into force in January and will apply to participating bus operators across England. Further details on the routes and services covered are expected before implementation.
For many routes, the change will reduce the price of a ticket by £1, although passengers already paying less than £2 will continue to pay the operator's normal fare. The cap sets a maximum price rather than a fixed fare, meaning operators can still charge below the limit if they choose.
Why the cap is being reduced
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "This is about making those everyday journeys easier and cheaper. We’re cutting fares by a third to help with the cost of living, open up opportunities and keep people connected to work, school, healthcare and their friends and family."
The Government says the new £2 cap will save regular passengers money while encouraging more people to use buses. Ministers believe cheaper fares will help ease cost-of-living pressures, improve access to jobs and education, and reduce congestion by persuading more people to leave their cars at home.
Impact on passengers and campaigners
The £3 cap had been criticised by campaigners who argued that increasing the limit from £2 to £3 made bus travel less affordable, particularly for commuters making two journeys each day. The restored £2 cap is expected to benefit millions of passengers across England, making everyday journeys cheaper and supporting the Government's wider transport and environmental goals.
