Bus Fares Capped at £2 in Cambridgeshire

Bus fares in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will remain capped at £2 until the end of March 2025 after the Combined Authority Board approved a £1 million subsidy to counter an upcoming national fare cap increase to £3. Mayor Dr. Nik Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining low fares to encourage public transportation use and support local residents' accessibility to jobs and education. This decision follows a similar move in the Liverpool City Region, where nearly £5 million will be added to the transport budget to retain the £2 fare cap, despite the national increase. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram acknowledged the fiscal challenges but affirmed that affordable public transport is vital in areas with low car ownership. Both regions aim to enhance public transport services and passenger numbers amid economic pressures. Future decisions regarding fare caps will be made in early 2025 as part of the budget-setting process.