Calls for mayor to fund £2 bus fare cap

Bus fares are currently capped at £3 across England

Conservative councillors in Nottinghamshire have called for bus fares to be capped at £2.

A cap on fares across England rose from £2 to £3 in January and was recently extended until "at least" March 2027.

Metro mayors, however, are able to fund their own schemes to reduce fares to lower than £3.

A motion due to be discussed at a Nottinghamshire County Council meeting on Thursday calls on the Reform UK-run council to write to East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, asking that she fund such a cap.

The motion will be discussed at a council meeting on Thursday

Responsibility for regional transport will not officially transfer to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which the mayor leads, until early next year.

It was announced at last month's spending review, however, that EMCCA will receive £2bn from central government to improve road, rail and bus connections.

The motion also calls on the mayor to "continue supporting Nottinghamshire's existing bus services", including those currently subsidised by the authority.

Conservative councillor Mike Introna, who tabled the motion, said: "Public transport is about habit, reliability and trust.

"If people know a bus will be there, they use it. If fares are affordable, they ditch the car.

"We proved this works. Now it's up to the new Reform leadership to speak up at EMCCA and encourage the mayor to go even further."

A spokesperson for EMCCA said a transport plan will be published in the coming months.

"Alongside our Bus Service Improvement Plan, it will set out how we'll invest in the region's bus network, from routes and timetables to how people pay to travel," the spokesperson added.

They said most of the £2bn secured from central government will be spent on infrastructure.

"We will have revenue funding to support subsidies to fares and routes, but we need to hear from residents before we prioritise that funding.

"Their views will help shape our plans and reflect how residents get around and the services their communities need," the spokesperson said.

Nottinghamshire County Council has been approached for comment.