Lower bus fares and free 24/7

travel for disabled people announced

Extra support for bus users across England has been announced, including a return of the £2 fare cap.

The price of a single fare had previously risen to £3 but from the beginning of next year, the cost of a one-way journey will be capped at £2 for an initial 12-month period.

Additional support for disabled bus users has also been unveiled.

From 1 April 2027, those with a concessionary pass will be able to use it at any time of day, meaning early morning and weekend commuters will no longer have to shell out for travelling to work.

Currently, free travel for disabled bus users is only valid on weekdays between 9.30am and 11pm.

While some exemptions are already in place, the announcement from the government means that support will now be standardised across the country.

Buses are an essential, often unavoidable, part of rural life and while the support around the cost of travel is welcome, the lack of reliable services in rural areas remains a widespread problem.

However, these new measures, combined with those announced previously as part of the government’s new transport strategy, do have the potential to deliver meaningful change, if implemented correctly.

Further details on the new support can be found at www.gov.uk/transport/buses.