'This will make bus travel more affordable for thousands': Oxfordshire county council welcomes return of £2 fare cap
Oxfordshire County Council has praised the Prime Minister’s decision to cap single bus fares at £2.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Wednesday, July 22, that the £2 bus fare cap will return from January 1, 2027.
The announcement came just days after the council sent a letter to the Government urging it to provide more funding for the bus sector after it raised the price of Oxfordshire-wide MyBus day and week tickets.
The council says the Government’s decision to increase the cap from £2 to £3 on January 1, 2025, led to the increase in MyBus prices.
It meant MyBus tickets became more attractive, increasing sales while also increasing the cost per ticket to the council.
Cllr Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “Following my letter calling for the £2 bus fare cap to be reinstated, I am delighted that the government has listened and reversed the previous Prime Minister's decision. This will make bus travel more affordable for thousands of people.
“If we are serious about tackling climate change and reducing Oxfordshire's chronic congestion, buses must be an affordable, convenient and comfortable alternative to the car. Reinstating the £2 fare cap is a welcome step in the right direction.
“There is still more to do. We need continued investment in more frequent services, better reliability and improved infrastructure, which we are working tirelessly with our operators on delivering through the Oxfordshire Enhanced Partnership, if we are to encourage many more people to choose the bus.”
Oxfordshire County Council says it is unable to immediately reduce the MyBus fare but will review the pricing structure next year.