UK passengers embrace £2 bus fare cap, choosing bus travel over cars

More people are giving the bus a go due to the £2 bus fare cap, according to a new Transport Focus report, where the independent passenger watchdog spoke to more than 1000 people to understand the impact of the fare cap and how it is helping passengers with the cost-of-living.

More than one in 10 are using the bus to travel more, more than four in 10 thought that the new fare might save them money and 80% thought that it would help people with the cost-of-living. Furthermore, more than four in 10 said that bus journeys have been replacing ones that they would have made by car.

In addition, 49% of respondents had said that they might make use of the £2 fare and use the bus instead of making a car journey, while 41% said that the £2 fare would help them travel to places they would not otherwise go. The report also shows that awareness of the £2 fare cap has increased from 53% in January 2023 to 56% in March 2023.

UK government’s £2 bus fare cap scheme extended to June 2023

David Sidebottom, Director of Transport Focus, said: “Our research shows the £2 bus fare is having a big impact in helping more people get around by bus and putting more money back in their pocket. Cheaper fares are vital in winning passengers back and providing a lifeline for bus routes up and down the country. It’s great to see the introduction of simpler, better value for money fares helping more people give bus a go. This comes at a critical time when many people are struggling and worried about the cost of travel.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “It’s fantastic to see how the £2 bus fare cap is helping people save money, get on the bus more and travel sustainably. That’s why we’ve just extended the fare cap for a further three months, with over 5,400 routes now part of the scheme, as we continue to help people keep money in their pockets while levelling up transport and growing the economy.”

What passengers say

“It’s so much cheaper to get anywhere. If there are more than one of us we’d usually get a taxi, as it’s the same price but this makes us use the bus more.”

“Before it was about £4 for a single journey and £7 for a return, which is so expensive. £2 is a great price….”

“I can get to nice coastal locations for days out at a far cheaper price than normal.”