Call for Mayor funding to keep bus fares at £2

A call has been made for Mayoral precept funding to be used to cap bus fares at £2.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was asked to consider subsidising bus fares so people would not have to pay more to travel to work.

The previous Conservative government introduced the £2 bus fare cap scheme, which meant a single journey would not cost more than £2.

Last month, the new Labour government announced the cap would be increased to £3 in 2025.

On Monday 4 November 2024, Sophie Corcoran asked if the Combined Authority would consider subsidising the fares in the county:

"Following the government’s decision to increase the bus fare cap by 50 per cent, this is going to increase the cost of bus travel by £520.

"There are not many people in the region who can afford an extra £500 to get to and from work.

"So will you follow in the footsteps of Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester and use the Mayoral precept, which you have tripled, to keep the cap at £2?"

Deputy Mayor Anna Smith said budgetary decisions were made by the Board and the Mayor, but she did highlight the Combined Authority’s introduction of Tiger Bus Passes, which offer £1 bus fares for people under the age of 25.

She also mentioned the decision to fund concessionary travel at peak times, which means elderly and disabled people can travel for free at any time.