Starmer raises bus fare cap to £3

12 comments

1. ***The Telegraph reports***:

   The bus fare cap in England will be raised to £3 in the Budget, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

   It is an increase on the current £2 cap, introduced by the Conservatives to encourage people to use public transport after the Covid pandemic.

   In a speech today the Prime Minister said: “On the £2 bus fare, first thing to say is the Tories only funded that until the end of 2024 and therefore that is the end of the funding in relation to a £2 capped fare.

   “I do know how much this matters, particularly in rural communities where there’s heavy reliance on buses.

   “And that’s why I’m able to say to you this morning that in the Budget we will announce there will be a £3 cap on bus fares to the end of 2025 because I know how important it is.”

   **Full story:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/10/28/keir-starmer-raises-bus-fare-cap-to-3-pounds-budget/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/10/28/keir-starmer-raises-bus-fare-cap-to-3-pounds-budget/)

2. He really is just an absolute prat.

3. Well, I suppose it’s better than dropping it entirely. But I doubt it’s going to save as much money as the Treasury are hoping it will in the longer run.

4. That’s a shame – I don’t use the bus much myself but I would support it becoming a free service. Would clear up the roads and do loads for social mobility.

5. Imagine increasing the cost of something the Tories imposed.
   He’s just a Tory, isn’t he.

6. In Spain at the moment. I can travel for about 45 minutes for about 45c.

7. I’m fine with this, why was the tax payer absorbing this cost anyway?

8. That subsidised bus travel really a great socialist policy to support those who need to get to work on a low income. It gave people extra mobility and range on working and now those fees are increasing. For a full time worker using it twice a day that’s a big loss in disposable income.

   And of course it won’t affect a lot of pensioners with their bus pass.

9. Prick

10. Did Starmer make this decision himself?  

    Not a very honest headline considering that a few departments will have discussed this at length before announcing it. 

    Typical Tabloid news reporting. 

11. Honestly I don’t mind this, it couldn’t stay at £2 forever and 3 quid is still a massive discount for rural areas compared to pre cap prices. Most workers use passes anyway (that weren’t altered by the cap at all). Singles are more for irregular travellers.

12. There’s a journey I do semi-regularly, fairly short but I have to change buses because of the routes. Used to be £4 each way (outside London), now will be £6. Taxi costs £10. Goodbye bus, hello taxi.

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