Overview

• Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her June spending review that the £3 single-fare cap will remain in place until at least March 2027 across England’s bus network.
• The measure covers about 5,000 routes and is expected to cost the Treasury roughly £150 million per year.
• Without the cap, fare increases could see some journeys jump by up to £12, with routes like Leeds to Scarborough projected to double in price.
• Liberal Democrats criticised the decision for not reverting to the previous £2 limit, while operators such as Bluestar welcomed the move for its environmental and congestion benefits.
• The spending review also secures a four-year funding settlement for Transport for London and quadruples local transport grants outside the capital.