£2 Bus Travel extended

Bus travel in many parts of Norfolk is set to stay capped at £2 a journey as part of the government's ongoing Bus Fare Cap Grant scheme, which has now been extended to 31 October 2023.

This means that a single journey on all services run by participating operators until 31 October 2023 will continue to cost no more than £2 thanks to funding from HM Government.

In addition, the government has announced funding to freeze fares at £2.50 from November 2023 through to November 2024.

The scheme is part of the Government's Help for Households campaign designed to support families through cost-of-living pressures.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure said: "The fare cap has already helped families across Norfolk facing a real squeeze on their incomes, and the news that it is to continue throughout the summer and into autumn is welcome news. This cap benefits anyone who needs to travel about our county, and will help keep Norfolk on the move in an affordable, sustainable way.

"The scheme also complements our own work in Norfolk, as we aim to help more people travel by bus more frequently, as well as reducing carbon emissions while keeping Norfolk connected."

While initially introduced only as a temporary measure, the £2 fare cap is being extended for the second time to continue helping people save money on travel. Since it started on 1 January this year, the £2 fare has encouraged more people to use the bus.

As part of £300 million to support services nationally until 2025, £160 million will be provided to local transport authorities to improve fares, services and infrastructure while £140 million will go directly to operators to help protect essential services across England.

The Department for Transport announced in September plans to invest up to £60 million to introduce the £2 bus fare cap on a single bus ticket on most services in England outside London.