Norfolk campaigner says bus fare hike will hit those taking longer journeys the hardest
Until the end of 2025, a single bus fare will cost £3 in most parts of the UK
A campaigner in West Norfolk is telling us that those using buses for long journeys will be hit hardest by this month's rise in the bus fare cap.
Until the end of 2025, a single bus fare will cost £3 in most parts of the UK.
It's an increase of a pound on a scheme brought in September 2022, which aims to encourage more people to use them.
"Many people are going to have to look at their household budgets"
Jo Rust is secretary of the King's Lynn and District Trades Union Council, she says this transport is invaluable for many: "Very often we see elderly people, those in receipt of the state pension, relying on them.
"Sometimes it's not just for journeys that people are relying on them for, they're often used for people to keep warm and also for people to meet other people.
"Many people are going to have to look at their household budgets, now unfortunately.
"If you're using that everyday to get somewhere that's going to an additional five pounds a week out of their pockets and for many people that's very significant."
What's the Government said?
In his pre-budget speech the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer says his Government is investing more than £1 billion into buses and bus services across the UK.
The cap means no single bus fare on routes included in the scheme will exceed £3 and routes where fares are less than £3 will only be allowed to increase by inflation in the normal way so that some fares will remain below £3.
The Department for Transport say this will particularly benefit passengers in rural communities and towns and will save passengers up to 80% on some routes.