** Richard has managed to extend £2 bus fare cap extended until 31st October + two years of extra support for bus operators and local transport authorities to protect services **
As both MP for North West Durham and DfT Minister for Roads and Local Transport, I was delighted to announce both these new measures to support bus users an our bus networks this week.
This is the second time I’ve extended the Get around for two Pounds fare cap scheme which will now runs until 31st October and then continue as a £2.50 cap until November 2024. We’re capping fares to help bus users, especially lower paid workers with living costs
On top of this support I’m making sure we provide extra long-term support for Local Transport Authorities & Bus companies to protect and enhance services. This announcement also means they’ll get £300 million over the next two years to do just that
These latest projects are on top of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) for the North East which means over £100m so far for bus service improvements in the North East - including the recent introduction of the £1 fare for under-22s.