Bus Services: Fares
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of lower bus fares on rural connectivity.
Answered by Department for Transport
This Government announcement on 22 July that single bus tickets will be capped at £2 from 1 January 2027, slashing maximum fares by up to a third for millions of people. This scheme will help keep travel affordable for millions of passengers while supporting access to jobs, education, healthcare and other opportunities. Capped fares will particularly benefit people travelling longer distances and those living in rural and coastal communities, helping them access employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.
This Government recognises the challenges of running rural bus services, which is why we have amended the formula used to allocate the Local Authority Bus Grant to take rurality into account. Local authorities have the flexibility to use this grant to deliver the best outcomes for passengers in their area, whether through lower fares, more frequent services, or enhanced rural bus provision.
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