Mayor Confirms £2 Cap on Bus Fares Will Remain

Single bus fares in the Liverpool City Region will remain capped at £2, despite a national increase, Mayor Steve Rotheram has confirmed. The cap will be extended until September 2025, though Rotheram did not rule out potential adjustments after that date.

The announcement follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget, which raised England’s single bus fare cap to £3 starting in January. Previously, funding for the £2 fare cap was set to expire at the end of 2024 under plans from the former government.

Rotheram highlighted that maintaining the fare cap demonstrates “the power of devolution,” and is part of broader efforts to promote clean, sustainable travel, reduce congestion, and help the Liverpool City Region reach net zero carbon by 2035.

“Affordable and reliable bus services are essential to ensure everyone, regardless of income or background, can access work, education, and all that our region offers,” he stated. “This gives us the freedom to take bold actions, making decisions guided by the needs and priorities of our residents.”

This decision aligns with the region’s transition toward franchising its bus network, aiming to improve service accessibility and accountability.