Most bus fares in England to be capped at £2 from January
The new UK government led by Andy Burnham has announced that bus fares in England will be capped at £2 starting in January. The policy aims to assist with the cost of living, though officials acknowledge it is not a complete solution to broader economic challenges.
Why it matters
This policy directly impacts the daily commute and financial burden for millions of UK residents, particularly in rural areas where public transport services have been declining.
Image source, Getty Images By Katy Austin Transport correspondent Published 22 July 2026, 06:37 BST Updated 3 hours ago The bus fare cap in England will revert to £2 from January, new prime minister Andy Burnham has announced.
The government says the policy, which is expected to cost more than £500m, will "help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need".
At the start of last year, the England-wide bus fare cap rose to £3 under Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government, although in Liverpool and Manchester fares were held at £2.
Burnham said affordable transport links were an essential, adding: "Lower fares will help people get to where they need to."
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