North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has stepped in to cap adult bus fares in the region at a maximum of £2.50 today - saving passengers at least 50p every journey from January compared to the Government's £3 limit announced in the budget.
Adult single bus fares in the North East are expected to range from £1.90 to £2.50 single as a result of the decision, with commercial operators deciding their own prices for shorter journeys below the cap.
The Mayor and North East Combined Authority cabinet have also committed to keep the region’s £1 flat fare for passengers aged 21 and under across public transport in 2025 with the ambition this stays in place across the region until 2028.
Alongside good value all day travel Rover tickets, the new fare cap will be subsidised locally by the Combined Authority and is aimed at keeping the cost of travel as low as possible in the year ahead until December 2025.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “I am determined to deliver a green, integrated transport network that works for all – and a huge part of that is making fares cheaper every day to help local people to travel by public transport to college, to their place of work and other opportunities.
“I am committed to make public transport much more affordable and I can confirm I will cap all adult single bus fares in the North East at a maximum of £2.50 from January 2025, saving passengers at least 50p for each and every journey.
“We are also keeping the £1 fare for young people aged 21 next year and I will do everything I possibly can to keep this in place until 2028.
“This means the maximum amount you will pay for a single bus fare in the North East next year will be £2.50 - saving passengers money each and every day, helping more people travel affordably and encouraging more people to use the bus whenever they can. This is a huge achievement, and I'm pleased to fund this new cap to keep travel costs as low as they can be.
“These fares will support local people, helping families across the region save money on transport costs and keep more money in their pocket. I am determined to tackle child poverty and every decision I take is with this firmly in my mind. We have also encouraged local operators to keep fares low generally, and operators will set their prices for shorter journeys below the cap which are expected to range from £1.90 to £2.50 to further support residents.”
Cllr Martin Gannon, Lead Member for Transport and Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “The Mayor and cabinet have set out to massively improve our bus travel and this is another determined move to make every day public transport use more appealing and affordable for residents.
“I wholeheartedly support the delivery of the new regional bus fare cap – ensuring no single bus fare in the North East next year will be more than £2.50. This will help us boost the number of people using the bus while making it cheaper. This is in the best interest of local people.”