Bus fare increase a 'kick in the teeth', says user

June Turnock, 85, relies on buses to take her into Northampton

A bus user has described next year's single fare increase from £2 to £3 as a "kick in the teeth."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the bus fare cap would go up after the existing cap was due to expire at the end of December.

Commuters in Northamptonshire have expressed their concern about the move. Among them, Frankie, from Duston, who relies on the bus to commute to work.

"If it goes up to three quid, I don't think I would use it as much," he said. "It is a kick in the teeth."

Another commuter, Jane Turnock, 85, said she takes the bus into Northampton a couple of times a week to visit high street shops.

Buses are the only way that she can get into the town unless she goes by taxi, which is more expensive.

Ms Turnock told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that she thought £3 would be too expensive for a lot of people who rely on buses.

She suggested anyone over 60 should be eligible for free travel.

'Absolute lifeline'

Councillor Matt Binley, an executive member for highways and travel at North Northamptonshire Council, said he was “very concerned” about the impact of the price hike on vulnerable people.

Bus services were "an absolute lifeline" for a significant sector of the community, he added.

Mr Binley confirmed the Conservative-controlled council had explored keeping the £2 cap and subsidising the rates through Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.

However, he said this would risk the improved bus routes and timetables being axed and would not be possible with current budget pressures.

He added that he "fully understands that any government at some stage would have to review the price caps".

The £2 bus fare cap was introduced in January 2023 to help with the cost of living crisis

The £2 fare cap was initially brought in by the Conservative government for three months in January 2023 but has been extended for almost two years.

Mike Reader, Labour MP for Northampton South, said: "I know reliable, affordable bus services are vital to people across Northants."

He added the Labour government would cap fares at £3 for an additional year, as well as contributing more than £1bn to improve the performance of bus services.