The £2 bus fare cap introduced to tackle the cost-of-living crisis has been extended for three more months.

The policy, which sees a maximum cost of £2 for single journeys outside of London, was introduced across the country on January 1 this year, after its initial launch in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the Liverpool City Region, in September.

The scheme would initially run until the end of March, however the government announced plans today to provide up to £75 million for bus operators to continue the cap until the end of June.

More than 130 bus operators including Arriva, National Express and Stagecoach joined the scheme, with those continuing the fare cap to be announced in due course.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper also announced today that £80 million will be used from April 1 to June 30 to protect the vital bus services people rely on for work, education, appointments and shopping.

During the pandemic, bus usage dropped as low as 10% of pre-Covid levels, and since March 2020, the government has provided financial support of more than £2 billion.

Bus usage is still at around 85-90% compared to pre-pandemic levels, so it is hoped the scheme will save passengers money and encourage people to use buses more.

With the average single local bus ticket costing £2.80 – and up to £5 in some rural areas – passengers are saving, on average, almost a third of their ticket price with the 'Get Around for £2' scheme.

The existing £60 million investment to cap single bus fares has already shown early signs of an increase in bus use, with an independent survey carried out by passenger watchdog Transport Focus showing that 7% of its 1,000 participants are using the bus more than before the cap was introduced.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I want to make bus travel affordable for all, that’s why we’re continuing to cap fares at £2 and protecting local routes, ensuring we have a modern and efficient network that’s accessible for everyone.

“Getting more people onto reliable and affordable buses will strengthen communities and help grow the economy – connecting people to jobs, driving pensioners to see friends and family, and helping people attend medical appointments or access education.

“I’m determined to ensure that no matter where you live, you have the same opportunities to get around easily and can feel pride in your local area – which is why protecting our local bus services is so important.”

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Travelling by bus remains the most popular option for commuters and families across the country, but the sector is still trying to recover after the end of the pandemic.

“We’re providing £155 million to help passengers save money on fares, get more people on the bus and protect vital bus routes – helping with the cost of living and enabling people to get where they need to in an affordable and convenient way.”

The recovery grant support is additional to a government investment of £3 billion in bus services by 2025, with over £1 billion of this used to improve fares, services, and infrastructure.

Making use of the scheme, a KentOnline reporter travelled from Dartford to Dungeness entirely by bus for just £10 last month.

Rhys Griffiths made the journey via Medway, Maidstone and Ashford, with no rigid timetable for the journey, and the goal of reaching his destination while the sun was still up.