UNFARE

Passengers hit by 50% bus ticket rise | Ministers urged to find lasting solution

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

MILLIONS of bus passengers in England have been hit by a 50% increase in single fares.

The bus fare cap was set at £2 for most routes two years ago, but today it has risen to £3.

Fares that would be below £3 without the cap - such as many in urban areas are permitted to rise by no more than inflation.

Silviya Barrett, from lobby group Campaign for Better Transport, said: "This is a significant increase that will be a costly start to 2025 for many people. Buses are our most used form of public transport so they need to be affordable.

"The fare cap has proved popular with passengers and helped boost ridership, so the government must now look for a long-term replacement for the scheme from next year to avoid any further rises."