West Yorks Mayor Tracy Brabin hails Andy Burnham’s £2 bus fare plan as boost for passengers
Mayor welcomes PM’s new £2 bus fare price cap
Andy Burnham’s decision to cap bus fares at £2 has been welcomed by West Yorkshire’s Mayor.
Tracy Brabin was speaking at the first meeting of the Weaver Network Board – a new committee that will oversee transport in West Yorkshire.
Earlier this week the new Prime Minister announced that, from January, all bus fares will be capped so no one-way journey costs more than £2.
It is expected to last until the end of 2027.
There is currently a similar cap in West Yorkshire, although the “Mayor’s Fares” is capped at a higher rate of £2.50.
At a meeting of the Weaver Network Board this week, Ms Brabin said: “I’ve been told he will be having conversations with Mayors on how Government can support bus fares into 2028 and beyond.
“We want to get more people using buses, but the public tell us the cost can be a disincentive.
“We know this policy will benefit the people of West Yorkshire.”
Since entering Downing Street on Monday, Mr Burnham has unveiled plans to remove VAT from electricity bills and reinstate a £2 cap on single bus fares across England.
Chancellor John Healey meanwhile vowed to back UK businesses that have “felt really squeezed” and said he was “just as concerned about the cost of business as I am about the cost of living”.
Addressing business leaders in central London on Thursday, Mr Healey said: “My message to British businesses is quite simple: to British businesses, to British innovators, to British investors: I will back you as your Chancellor, and I’ll back you in financial services, in technology, in retail, in industry, in all parts of the economy.”
Like households, firms have been feeling a “lack of a breathing space”, he said.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds insisted the policy is fully funded, despite both sources of revenue being described as subject to review or consultation.