£2 bus fare a winner for bus passengers

05 April 2023

More people are giving bus a go thanks to the £2 bus fare cap.

Independent passenger watchdog Transport Focus spoke to more than 1000 people to understand the impact of the fare cap and how it was helping passengers with the cost of living.

More than one in 10 are using the bus to travel more, more than four in ten thought the new fare might save them money, and 80 per cent thought it would help people with the cost of living. More than four in 10 said the bus journeys were replacing ones they would have made by car.

Looking to the future, those that told us they might make use of the £2 fare would use the bus instead of making a car journey (49 per cent), while others said the £2 fare would help them travel to places they wouldn’t otherwise go (41 per cent).

Awareness of the £2 fare cap has increased from 53 per cent in January 2023 to 56 per cent.

Transport Focus director David Sidebottom, said:

“Our research shows the £2 bus fare is having a big impact in helping more people get around by bus and putting more money back in their pocket. Cheaper fares are vital in winning passengers back and providing a lifeline for bus routes up and down the country.

“It’s great to see the introduction of simpler, better value for money fares helping more people give bus a go. This comes at a critical time when many people are struggling and worried about the cost of travel.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

“It’s fantastic to see how the £2 bus fare cap is helping people save money, get on the bus more and travel sustainably.

“That’s why we’ve just extended the fare cap for a further three months, with over 5,400 routes now part of the scheme, as we continue to help people keep money in their pockets while levelling up transport and growing the economy.”

What passengers say

“It’s so much cheaper to get anywhere. If there are more than one of us we’d usually get a taxi as it’s the same price but this makes us use the bus more.”

“Before it was about £4 for a single journey and £7 for a return which is so expensive. £2 is a great price…”

“I can get to nice coastal locations for days out at a far cheaper price than normal.”

Background 

Awareness and effect of £2 bus fare report.

Transport Focus spoke to a representative sample of more than 1000 people between 24 – 26 March. The report focuses on the responses from people under age 65 within England who live outside London.

From 1 January the government introduced a £2 capped single bus fare in England (outside of London). Participation in the scheme is voluntary and some bus companies chose not to take part, but most major bus operators offer it. A £2 capped fare was introduced in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and West Yorkshire in autumn 2022.

For further information please contact: Kieran Watkins, Communications manager, 07850 076493 or email: kieran.watkins@transportfocus.org.uk