Bus fare cap to stay at £2, mayor confirms

Single bus fares across the Liverpool city region will be capped at £2 despite a national rise, mayor Steve Rotheram has confirmed.

The metropolitan mayor said he was extending the cap until September 2025 but did not rule out possible increases afterwards.

He said saving the cap demonstrated "the power of devolution".

It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the Budget that England's single bus fare cap would be hiked to £3 from January.

Under plans inherited from the previous government, funding for the existing £2 cap had been due to expire at the end of 2024.

Rotheram said the cap was part of wider efforts to make clean, sustainable travel more accessible, tackle congestion, and "make the Liverpool city region net zero carbon by 2035".

“Affordable and reliable bus services are key to ensuring that everyone, no matter their income or background, can get to work, access education, or simply enjoy all that our region has to offer," he said.

"It gives us the freedom to take bold action, ensuring that the decisions we make are directly driven by the needs and priorities of the people who live here."

The decision came as the region moves towards the franchising of its bus network.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected]