Calls to make £2 bus fare cap permanent as thousands of fares are cut from today

Some 130 bus operators will reduce maximum fares to £2 from today, with over 4,600 routes across England ready to go introduce lower fares

There are calls to extend the cap on bus fares beyond March (

Image: Andy Commins/Daily Mirror)

A temporary £2 cap on bus fares should be made permanent to make travel cheaper for millions and boost the economy, ministers said.

Some 130 bus operators will reduce maximum fares to £2 from today, and more than 4,600 routes across England are set to introduce lower fares.

But the temporary cap, which will cost £60m in subsidies to bus companies, is due to expire on March 31.

Norman Baker of the Campaign for Better Transport welcomed the policy, but said it should be a permanent measure.

"This is a welcome and much-needed move to make bus travel more affordable for millions of people, help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and breathe new life into bus services in decline," he told the Sunday Mirror

Rural bus fares can cost upwards of £5 (

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PENNSYLVANIA)

"But in order to prevent the benefits of this initiative from ending with the program, we want it to be extended indefinitely, for the benefit of our pockets, our economy and our environment.

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“The government also needs to look at how the buses are funded over the long term, as this is crucial to the survival of our local bus network once this program ends.”

The average one-way bus fare for a 3-mile journey outside of London is £2.80, meaning passengers will save almost a third of the one-way fare.

Passengers in rural areas, where tickets can cost upwards of £5, will find even greater savings.

People traveling from Plymouth to Exeter will save £9.20, an 82% reduction from the normal fare of £11.20.

While those traveling from Lancaster to Kendall will save 86%, with fares for the 22 miles reduced from £14.50.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "By helping passengers outside London save almost a third of the average price of a single bus ticket and removing two million cars from the traffic, the £2 bus fare cap is a fantastic way to start the new year.

"Buses are a key part of our vision for a clean, efficient and modern transport network that is affordable for everyone. That's why we're investing £60 million to encourage everyone to get on the bus and "get around for £2".