Rebecca Harris MP has welcomed the Conservative Government’s decision to further extend the £2 bus fare cap once again, continuing to bring cheaper journeys to people across Castle Point. The bus fare cap had been due to rise to £2.50 but thanks to the Conservative Government’s decision to reinvest HS2 funding in ‘Network North’, it will remain at £2 across most of England until the end of December 2024.

This extension is only possible due to £36 billion of funding being redirected from HS2, funding the ‘Network North’ plan. This plan takes the total government investment to keep bus fares down to nearly £600 million, with over 140 operators signing up to continue offering the cap across more than 5,000 routes.

The £2 bus fare has helped the cost of bus fares fall across England outside London by 7.4%, whereas in Labour-run London fares have risen 6%, in Labour-run Wales up 6.3% and SNP-run Scotland they have risen 10.3%.  

This comes on top of the £4.89 million Government investment in bus services awarded to Essex County Council for 2024/25 as part of the £80 million Bus Services Improvement Plan and a further £140 million from the extension of the Bus Service Operators Grant.

The Conservative Government is taking long-term decisions to make life better for the British people and delivering on its five priorities to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.

Commenting, Rebecca Harris MP said:

“Buses are vital to people across Castle Point and keeping the cost of fares down for longer will make a real difference to the lives of the thousands of people who use them in our area every day. That is why I am pleased the Conservative Government has taken the decision to extend the £2 bus fare cap across most of England once again until the end of December 2024, just one measure of the £94 billion of support being provided to help lower the cost of living.”

Commenting, Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

“Buses are the most popular form of public transport and help people across the country get to work, attend medical appointments, and see loved ones – that’s why we are extending the ‘Get Around for £2’ scheme all the way to 31 December 2024. Extending the £2 bus fare cap has only been possible with the redirected HS2 funding secured by this Government making the right long- term decisions for a brighter future, delivering immediate benefits and helping people save money.”