MP welcomes £3,119,118 of Conservative Government funding to extend the £2 bus fare cap

Damien Moore MP welcomes £3,119,118 of Conservative Government funding to extend the £2 bus fare cap across the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority area.

Member of Parliament for Southport, Damien Moore, has welcomed £3,119,118 of Conservative Government funding for bus companies and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to extend the £2 bus fare cap. 

This news comes as part of a £500 million investment to freeze bus fares nationally and improve vital local routes – ensuring passengers can continue to ‘Get Around for £2’, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector. The Conservative Government is investing £200 million in extending the cap for single bus fares at £2 outside of London until October 2023, and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024.

Although the initial cap announced at the start of this year was introduced as a temporary measure, the scheme has successfully encouraged many more people to use local bus services, benefitting local economies, supporting jobs, and helping passengers with the cost of living.

A further £300 million has been announced to protect routes and services that are relied on for work, education, medical appointments, and shopping. As part of this, local transport authorities will receive £160 million to improve fares, services, and infrastructure, while £140 million will directly support operators in protecting essential services.

Across the North West, journeys such as the Lancaster to Kendal bus route will be reduced from £14.50 to £2 meaning savings of 86 per cent per trip.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said: 

“I am delighted the Conservative Government will be committing £500 million across the country, extending the £2 fare cap, and protecting and improving vital local routes across Southport.

“These links are crucial for our town, helping people to access work, education, shops, and appointments. The Government’s commitment will help to keep costs down, as the Conservatives work to halve inflation, grow the economy, and reduce debt.”

“Connectivity is also why I launched the campaign for the re-instatement of the Burscough Curves, linking Southport to Preston and Ormskirk with a direct rail line. I am continuing to meet with Ministers and other stakeholders to raise the important case for the lines re-instatement, and to ensure that my constituents get the connectivity they deserve.”

Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, said:

“Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day.

“This half a billion pounds investment will help people save money amid cost of living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.”