Salisbury Reds call for £2 bus fare cap to become permanent
Reduced ticket prices are credited with increasing passenger numbers
There's a call from South Wiltshire's bus operator for an extension to the £2 bus fare cap.
Salisbury Reds say they’ve seen huge growth in the number of people using buses since the reduced prices came in.
The scheme was introduced after the Covid pandemic, with the aim of encouraging people to use public transport again.
But the Labour government won't say whether the policy will continue past the current end date of December 31st.
Nikki Honer from Salisbury Reds says the scheme will help the government with its net zero target:
"The Government are obviously trying to encourage people to go down the electric car route - well even if a buses isn't electric, it's still far better for the environment than a car. One double decker bus can take 75 cars off the road."
And she says the price cap has been a revelation for those struggling financially:
"We know that buses play an essential role in keeping people engaged in their community - whether it's to be able to get to the doctors or the hospital more easily, or to meet friends socially. With the fact that it's now more affordable for everybody, more and more people are taking advantage."