Millions of passengers across England will continue to ‘Get Around for £2’ and access vital bus services thanks to £500 million in government funding.
To help people with cost of living pressures and save on everyday travel costs, the government will provide up to £200 million to continue capping single bus fares at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023. Fares will then be capped at £2.50 until 30th November 2024. £1.2 million of the £200 million has been allocated to Nottinghamshire.
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. It will particularly benefit those on lower incomes who take nearly three 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.
On 17th May, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, also confirmed that a further £300 million will be spent between now and 2025 to protect vital routes and improve services that people rely on for work, education, medical appointments and shopping.
To find out about bus routes in and around Ruddington, you can visit www.ruddingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/community/public-transport/.