THE GOVERNMENT has announced plans to extend a scheme that reduces single journey bus fares to £2 per trip – but Reading Buses has yet to confirm if it will be part of it.
The company says that as with previous iterations of the scheme it needs to see the detail before it can confirm its participation.
On Wednesday, transport secretary Mark Harper said £300 million would be made available until 2025, with the £2 bus fare to be extended until October 31. After this time, the price will increase to £2.50.
Before the scheme started in January, a single on Reading Buses simplyReading zone was £2.30, with larger fares for other zones, including simplyBracknell and Wokingham. Under the scheme, it is possible to catch a Green Line service from Reading town centre to central London for £2.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “By extending the £2 fare cap, we’re making sure bus travel remains accessible and affordable for everyone while helping to ease cost of living pressures.”
The move has been welcomed by the Confederation of Passenger Transport. Its CEO, Graham Vidler, said the two-year funding settlement showed a recognition of the importance of buses to the economy and communities, but warned not every service would be able to continue to run.
“Operators and local authorities will now work together to study the detail of the government’s proposals and ensure that the funding is used to safeguard the best possible network for local passengers,” he said.
Reading Buses is now awaiting the small print before it can confirm its participation in the scheme. At the very least, passengers can expect the £2 fare to continue until the end of June.
The firm’s chief executive, Robert Williams, said: “We are waiting for the government to provide us with information about the scheme before we can confirm whether we will be able to take part.
“Our fares are already some of the lowest in the country.”
