Most bus fares in the UK will be reduced by £2 from January

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that bus fares in England will return to £2 from January.

The government said the policy, expected to cost more than £500m, would “help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need”.

Early last year bus fares across England rose to £3 under Sir Keir Starmer’s Labor government, although fares in Liverpool and Manchester were £2.

“Lower fares help people get where they want to go,” Burnham said, adding that affordable transport links are important.

The measure “gives people a bit of hope” at a time when many are struggling with the cost of living – particularly after fuel prices have risen due to the US-Iran war, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the BBC’s Today programme.

However, she admits that the measure is not “the complete solution”.

The new cap will apply to bus fares outside London from January. A single bus journey in London costs £1.75 without a discount.

The Burnham Government said a return to the £2 cap should help commuters, particularly in rural and coastal areas, for single fares.

The Campaign for Better Transport notes that rural areas still suffer from limited bus routes and services; Such areas, he said, have been more affected by council cuts over the past decade than cities.

Services in those areas – measured by vehicle miles – will fall by 18% between 2019 and 2024, according to the County Council Network, which represents 39 unitary and county councils in England.

“What we need to look at is replacing lost services, particularly in rural areas,” said Michael Solomon Williams of the Campaign for Better Transport.