Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed the announcement made by Prime Minister Andy Burnham that millions of people across the UK, including here in Portsmouth, will save a third on their bus travel with the introduction of a cap on single bus tickets at £2.
- Single bus fares will be slashed by up to a third from January 2027
- Investment will make people’s everyday journeys for work, education, healthcare and leisure more affordable.
This cap, which will come into effect on 1 January 2027 and remain for the rest of the year, is being introduced to help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need.
Buses are a lifeline for communities, providing essential routes into work, training and education as well as childcare, health care and leisure. The last £2 fare cap saw an estimated 30 million more journeys taken by bus in just 10 months.
Backed by £400 million extra funding, the cap on fares outside of London will help millions of people across the country access affordable bus travel more easily, breaking down barriers to travel for people struggling with the cost of living, opening up opportunities and boosting local economies.
Single fares can regularly soar above £10 on some services on the most expensive routes. The cap will eliminate a barrier to young people entering the workplace – meaning cheaper fares will help young people struggling with travel costs to get into work.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“By capping bus fares at £2 for everyone throughout next year, we are giving Portsmouth people the breathing space that they need.
“In recent years, families across this city have had to make difficult decision to balance everyday costs, including travel, in order keep up with rising cost of living. This should not have to be the case.
“I am proud to be part of a Labour Government that is taking decisive action that is making a difference to the everyday lives of people across this country. However, we know that there is more work to do and we will continue the hard work we began in 2024.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Good, affordable transport links are an essential. No one should be priced out of those and left behind.
“But for too long people have said that cheaper transport isn’t an option. I don’t accept that. I’ve done it before and I will do it again now: a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country.
“Lower fares will help people get to where they need to – giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living.
“As I said on my first day in office – I will build a country for everyone, everywhere. That means more connected communities, better access to opportunities, and a lighter load on people’s lives.”
This action to ease the cost of living is funded through an extra £454m (including funding for devolved governments) which comes from a reprioritisation of DESNZ’s budget, switching funding that had been set aside for international climate finance projects into loans.
Currently, fares have been capped at £3 until the end of March 2027, but this move will stop prices jumping next Spring and lower fares to £2 from January. It will extend a cap until the end of 2027, also giving local authorities more time to plan with confidence.
