Norfolk residents set to benefit from £2 bus fare cap

Nine bus operators in Norfolk have today announced that they will be taking part in the Bus Fare Cap Grant scheme.

This means that a single journey on all services run by these operators between 1 January - 31 March 2023 will cost no more than £2 thanks to funding from HM Government.

The scheme is part of the Government's Help for Households campaign designed to support families through cost-of-living pressures.

Operators taking part are:

• BorderBus
• First
• Konectbus
• Our Bus
• Sanders
• Simonds
• Coach Services
• Stagecoach
• Semmence

Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure said:

"At a time when many are struggling with the rising cost of living, this is a welcome investment to help bring down travel costs for many. All our local operators already offer really good value fares, particularly for multiple trips or group tickets - but this offer will benefit those residents who may only use the bus occasionally or for those who want to try using the bus for the first time. Schemes like this complement our own work in improving bus services across Norfolk well and support us in our ambitions to get more people using public transport more often."

The Department for Transport announced in September plans to invest up to £60 million to introduce the £2 bus fare cap on a single bus ticket on most services in England outside London.
Since then operators have received details of the funding that would be available to them and have decided whether or not to take part.

Lynx and WNCT Ltd who operate in West Norfolk and Vectare who run the flexibus+ in Swaffham have decided not to participate in the scheme. This is because the majority of their fares, particularly when buying a multiple trip ticket, are already cheaper than the £2 single fare and so already offer excellent value for money for residents.

Piers Marlow, Managing Director at First East of England said:

"A flat fare scheme such as this has never been introduced on such a large scale and so whilst we welcome the initiative, we, along with all operators, are unsure of just how much demand this may create. As such we ask that passengers bear with us for the first few days of the scheme as there may be some services which will require us to deploy additional vehicles to cope with demand."
Buses Minister Richard Holden said: 

"Bus travel remains the most popular form of public transport in England, making up around half of all journeys. That's why we're investing £60 million to cap single bus fares at £2 to support every passenger and help get people back on the bus. 

"With the scheme set to take two million car journeys off the road, it's fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up to the fare cap, helping people to 'Get Around for £2' between the 1st January and 31st March." 

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• Norfolk County Council has committed to achieve 'net zero' carbon emissions on its estates by 2030, but within its wider area, to work with partners towards 'carbon neutrality'. This also supports the government's ambition for a net zero country by 2050. We will achieve this by implementing carbon conscious ways of working across our buildings and supply chain; putting in place the right infrastructure across the county to support the move towards net-zero; and by working together with partners to lead and inspire our colleagues, citizens, communities and businesses to take action and play their part in protecting Norfolk for future generations.
  HM Government Policy Background:
• Millions of people can access affordable bus travel this winter, thanks to the Government's fare cap encouraging passengers to 'Get Around for £2'.
• Bus operators outside London will introduce the cap from 1st January to 31st March, backed by £60 million Government funding, offering a saving of 30% on the average single fare of £2.80
• The scheme encourages people to swap their cars for bus journeys, helping families save money during cost of living pressures, while also reducing carbon emissions by taking 2 million cars off the road and encouraging greater bus use to help the industry in its continued recovery from the pandemic.