Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that passengers will continue to benefit from discounted bus travel this summer before the Government introduces its new £2 fare cap in January.
The Great British Summer Savings scheme reassurance comes after ministers announced plans to reduce the maximum single bus fare in England from £3 to £2, a move expected to benefit millions of passengers.
Summer discounts to bridge gap before January cap
While the lower cap will not take effect until the start of next year, Mr Burnham said existing summer travel discounts will remain in place to ensure passengers continue to receive support in the meantime.
The Government's Summer Savings scheme, launched earlier this year, offers reduced fares and discounted travel through participating bus operators during the holiday period. Ministers say keeping the initiative in place will help families, students and commuters manage travel costs before the nationwide £2 cap comes into force.
Mr Burnham said: "For too long people have said that cheaper transport isn’t an option. I don’t accept that. I’ve done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country."
Affordable transport key to easing cost-of-living pressures
Mr Burnham said the Government wanted to ensure there was no gap in support for passengers between the summer and the introduction of the new fare cap. He described affordable public transport as a key part of the Government's efforts to ease cost-of-living pressures while encouraging more people to travel by bus.
From January, the current £3 maximum single fare will be replaced by a £2 cap on participating services across England. The Government estimates the change will cut the cost of many journeys by around a third, helping regular passengers save money on trips to work, education, healthcare and leisure.
£454 million funding backs cheaper fares
The £2 cap is backed by £454 million in government funding and forms part of a wider package of measures aimed at improving bus services and increasing passenger numbers. Ministers also hope cheaper fares will encourage more people to choose public transport over private cars, helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
Transport groups have welcomed confirmation that the summer discounts will continue until the new fare cap begins, saying it provides certainty for passengers and maintains support during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Further details on the transition from the Summer Savings scheme to the £2 fare cap, including participating operators and eligible routes, are expected to be announced before the new policy takes effect in January.
