Bus Fares in Parts of the Region to Be Capped at £2.50

From January, bus fares in significant areas of the region will be limited to a maximum of £2.50. A single bus trip in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham will see its cost restricted, making it 50p less than the national adult fare cap, which is set to increase from £2 to £3. In contrast, officials in other regions, such as Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, have declared that their existing £2 cap will remain in effect for at least a portion of the upcoming year. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, however, has pledged to uphold a £1 ticket promotion for individuals aged 21 and below who use buses. The North East Combined Authority (NECA) will provide subsidies for this fare cap, covering the period from January through December 2025. Individual adult bus journeys are projected to cost between £1.90 and £2.50. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, private bus companies will determine their own pricing for shorter routes that are less than the maximum fare. Mayor McGuinness had previously committed to prolonging the £1 fare limit for those aged 21 and under into the next year, expressing a desire to maintain it until 2028. Funding amounting to six million pounds is designated to originate from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plans, which has been distributed to local transport bodies, as stated in NECA documents. The Labour elected mayor characterized this as a “huge achievement”. McGuinness stated, “These fares will support local people, helping families across the region save money on transport costs and keep more money in their pocket.”