A North Yorkshire council chief has described a Government decision to increase the bus fare cap from £2 to £3 “penny-pinching from rural areas”.
Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transport at North Yorkshire Council, had previously warned that scrapping the cap altogether would have had “catastrophic consequences” for rural routes in the county.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced today that the £2 cap on bus fares would be replaced by a £3 cap from the end of the year.
There had been widespread criticism over reports Chancellor Rachel Reeves would not renew the cap when the funding expires at the end of 2024.
However, the Prime Minister said in a speech today that the Budget on Wednesday would include a commitment to keep a cap on bus ticket prices, although one that was 50 per cent higher.
Reacting to the announcement Cllr Duncan said: “Keir Starmer has given in, but only after pleas from rural communities like ours not to scrap the cap.
“It’s wrong that we have had to fight so hard to save an initiative that is particularly essential for bus services in communities like ours.
“The small saving this will generate means the decisions feels like penny-pinching from rural areas, when the major cities have seen billions invested in transport there.
“And while the cap will continue, it will increase by 50%, another hit on working people. The additional cost for a typical worker commuting daily will be around £500.
“There are also fears for the future of the cap after next year. We’re facing another increase or even the cap being scrapped altogether.
“We’ve worked so hard to protect routes across North Yorkshire, with the £2 fare cap serving as a critical lifeline. We must continue to fight against decisions that could harm passenger numbers and once again put services in peril.”
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