Prime Minister Andy Burnham is planning to reintroduce a £2 cap on single bus fares across England, reversing the increase to £3 that took effect in January 2025. The move aims to support households struggling with the cost of living.
Background of the Bus Fare Cap
The original £2 limit on single bus fares was introduced by the previous Conservative government in January 2023. After Labour came to power, the cap was raised to £3 from January 2025. However, as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham maintained a £2 cap on local bus services. A source close to a Labour metro mayor told The i Paper that the incoming prime minister wants to cap bus fares at £2 “if he has the money”.
Support from the Transport Secretary
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is understood to favour a return to the £2 cap. She successfully lobbied the Treasury to fund free bus travel for children aged 5-15 in England during August. Alexander stated that ministers cut the cost of day-to-day bus travel over the summer as “the cost of living is a concern for households across the UK”.
Burnham's International Engagement
In other developments, Burnham congratulated Donald Trump on the FIFA World Cup during their first phone call and expressed hope to show the US president around Manchester during a future visit. A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, shortly after taking office this afternoon. The Prime Minister began by congratulating the president on a successful World Cup and agreed that England had an excellent tournament. The Prime Minister also hoped that he would be able to show the president what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future.”
Vision for Reindustrialisation
Setting out his vision, Burnham said he would focus on ensuring reindustrialisation across the country to deliver growth in every postcode. He also underlined his commitment to defence and security, ensuring the security of the UK and its allies was at the top of his agenda. The president updated on the situation in the Middle East, and Burnham outlined the UK’s commitment to securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and reduce costs for businesses and families.
