Torbay Council will receive an additional £403,923 of funding to help improve local bus services and extend the £2 fare cap to help people travel locally for less.
Torbay’s MP, Kevin Foster, has welcomed the news that local bus passengers will continue to ‘Get Around for £2’ and access vital bus services thanks to £500 million in government funding, supporting people with the cost of living and ensuring long-term stability in the sector.
The Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed £300 million to protect vital routes and improve services until 2025 that people rely on for work, education, medical appointments and shopping.
To help people with cost-of-living pressures and save on everyday travel costs, the government will also provide up to £200 million to continue capping single bus fares at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024 – when the government will review their effectiveness and future bus fares.
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, and will particularly benefit those on lower incomes who take nearly 3 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.
Commenting Kevin Foster MP said: “Many across our bay have been getting around for £2 and it is great to hear this has now been extended to 31 October, meaning residents and visitors will be able to travel affordably around our bay this summer. It is also good to hear of a funding boost for Torbay Council’s new Conservative Administration to develop and protect local bus services.”
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