Passengers across Keighley and Ilkley will continue to travel for £2 after Transport Secretary Mark Harper this week confirmed a further £200 million of funding which is ring fenced to continue capping single bus fares at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates that inflation will be halved by the end of this year, and capping fares at £2.50 until November 2024 will create longer-term certainty for bus users over the next year. The fare cap will be reviewed ahead of November 2024.
The move is an essential part of the government’s Help for Households initiative to support everyone through the increased cost of living, and will particularly benefit those on lower incomes who take nearly 3 times as many bus trips than those on higher incomes.
During the pandemic, bus usage dropped as low as 10% of pre-pandemic levels and, while passenger levels have recovered to around 85 to 90%, the fare cap aims to encourage people back on the bus, which can help reduce congestion and emissions.
Commenting on the news, Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore said:
“It is fantastic to see the government providing a further £200 million package of support to extend the £2 Bus Fare Cap scheme to October, which means more affordable fares for commuters across Keighley and Ilkley.
The government have shown their commitment to investing in bus services in our area, with this further extension following on from £830 million of government investment in transport in West Yorkshire under the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“By extending the £2 fare cap, we’re making sure bus travel remains accessible and affordable for everyone while helping to ease cost of living pressures.
Buses connect our communities and play a vital role in growing the economy; they transport people to work, take our kids to school and make sure patients can get to doctors’ appointments.
That’s why we’re determined to protect local routes and encourage more people onto the bus, ensuring people can get around easily and in an affordable way.”
