Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden has welcomed the Department of Transport’s announcement of a further extension to the £2 bus fare cap until the end of 2024.
Bus users across Wealden and East Sussex have been benefitting from bus fares of no more than £2 for a single journey since 1 January 2023 as part of the Department for Transport’s new fares initiative to ensure affordable transport and the Government’s Help for Households.
Although the initial cap announced at the start of this year was introduced as a temporary measure, the scheme has proven hugely popular and was previously extended until 31 October. However, with savings made from HS2, the £2 fare is now being extended across England until the end of December 2024 and will mean that the Government has invested nearly £600 million in capping bus fares.
Any single tickets previously cheaper than this will remain the same price. This nationwide scheme in England is running in addition to other local fare initiatives already in place which are being delivered in partnership with County Councils. Over 130 bus operators outside London, including Stagecoach and Brighton & Hove bus services across Wealden and East Sussex, are participating in the scheme to encourage more people to use public transport and help local passengers with travel costs for work, education, shopping and medical treatments.
Nusrat Ghani said: “Buses are the most popular form of public transport in our country, and they are a vital mean of transport for many Wealden residents. Keeping the cost of fares down will make a real difference to many people who rely on these services every day. I welcome the announcement of a further extension to the £2 bus fare cap and the Government’s commitment to improving vital local routes, both of which will provide direct help to thousands of households in Wealden and across the country.”
