The £2 fare cap – part of the Government’s Help for Households initiative – is ending on 31st December 2024, but Southern Vectis is assuring local people there are still affordable options for bus travel across the Isle of Wight.
The present £2 limit is believed to be no longer fiscally sustainable for taxpayers and bus operators according to Department for Transport (DfT) analysis. The initial scheme cost £200million in the first 10 months of its implementation.
Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis’ general manager, says:
“Although maximum single journey fares are likely to rise to £3 from 1 January 2025, there are still plenty of other options for bus passengers here.
“The Newport local fare will remain at £2. And, for those who travel with us regularly, there are savings to make by purchasing one of our freedom passes or multi-day Rover bundles via the Southern Vectis app.
“A 30-day freedom pass is £115 – which is just £3.83 per day for unlimited travel. Those who travel less regularly may benefit from our multi-day bundles.
“A bundle of 15-day tickets, purchased through our app, works out at £5.46. These tickets don’t have to be used consecutively – and are valid for 12 months – so they are perfect for those who use the bus a couple of times a week or month.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has previously said:
“Buses are the engines of economic opportunity across the country.
“We know that reliable, affordable bus services are vital to keeping Britain moving. That’s why the Government will cap fares at £3 for an additional year and provide over £1 billion to deliver better bus services.
“This will avoid a cliff-edge at the end of this year and keep fares affordable across the country – improving access to opportunities, particularly in towns and rural areas, while offering value for the taxpayer.
“Our bus revolution will give every community the power to take back control of their services, end the postcode lottery of services and turn the page on four decades of failed deregulation.”
Richard adds:
“We’re working hard to ensure people across our area continue to travel by bus – and to persuade more to leave their cars at home and hop on board with us instead. Keeping our period pass fares as low as possible is part of that, and will be particularly useful for commuters.
“Bringing as many people as possible onto our buses and taking cars off the roads will help improve air quality across the island. Not only that, it will also ease congestion which will, in turn, cut journey times for all.”
Just that £1 per trip thats £2 per day thats £10 per week extra means its cheaper by car now. Thats a big fail by the government for there clean air.
Very true.
The world plan is to get vehicles off the road, funny way
of them showing it by increasing Bus Fares.
Me too, cheaper by van, diesel still offers more miles to the
gallon.
Much cheaper than £3 each way.
Dont see there logic put the fair up less people will use them even with there so called cheap pay up front cheaper fair trick.
Yet another private company that’s been poncing off the tax payer. The prices should never have have dropped in the first place. If southern couldn’t afford to to stay afloat then someone else would have took it over.
Are you including parking fee in your reckoning?
Yes of course its free at work.