New bus provider joins £2 bus cap as scheme is extended until October

£2

More Oxfordshire residents are set to benefit from cheaper bus fares as a ninth county bus provider has joined the £2 fare cap, just in time for the latest extension of the scheme.

Pulhams Coaches, which runs the 15, 15A, 19, 802 and X9 services, will charge passengers just £2 per journey from tomorrow when the next extension to the national fare cap comes into effect.

The government’s £2 cap on adult single fares began on 1 January for three months to help people with the cost of living crisis but proved so popular it was extended until the end of June. Now it has been extended again until 31 October, after which fares will be increased to £2.50 until November 2024.

The bus providers in Oxfordshire that have already opted in are:

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “It is great that so many bus operators in Oxfordshire have signed up to take part in the bus fare cap scheme. We know cost of living pressures are affecting many people and these discounted fares are already helping residents to cut costs as they use buses to get to school, to work and to visit our town and city centres.

“Swapping car journeys for bus trips also helps reduce the number of cars in our town and city centres, reducing congestion, cutting emissions and improving the environment.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “By extending the £2 fare cap, we’re making sure bus travel remains accessible and affordable for everyone while helping to ease cost of living pressures.

“Buses connect our communities and play a vital role in growing the economy; they transport people to work, take our kids to school and make sure patients can get to doctors’ appointments.

“That’s why we’re determined to protect local routes and encourage more people onto the bus, ensuring people can get around easily and in an affordable way.”

The temporary £2 bus fare cap on adult fares does not change the concessionary fare scheme or impact free travel. Services where singles already cost less than £2 are also not included, and there are some exemptions such as:

dedicated school services
services which only run on school days
coach services including the Oxford Tube.

More details are available on the government’s website or by visiting bus providers’ websites.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.