Liverpool Metro Mayor Considers Potential Bus Fare Increase

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram indicated that a rise in bus fares in Liverpool remains a possibility, following the Chancellor’s confirmation that the £2 cap would be increased next year. During her Budget statement to the House of Commons earlier, Rachel Reeves informed MPs that the bus fare cap would be raised to £3, a measure previously announced by the Prime Minister on Monday. This fare cap was initially implemented by the previous Conservative government to assist citizens with the cost of living, and its expiration was anticipated by the close of 2024. Rotheram expressed approval for the continuation of a maximum fare cap, though he refrained from confirming whether fares within the Liverpool City Region would see a £1 increase. He mentioned that efforts were already in progress to investigate “what measures we can take locally to keep fares as affordable as possible”. Although the current £2 cap was implemented across England in January 2023, the Liverpool City Region had put it in place two years prior. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Rotheram had stated at that time that the fare limit was “putting money back into the pockets of our residents”. The agreement for the new reduced fare was made with bus operators in the Liverpool City Region for an initial duration of three years. This initiative is financed by a £12m allocation from the Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP), which the mayor and combined authority secured from the Conservative administration. In a statement released after the Budget announcement, Rotheram remarked: “Buses are central to a well-functioning public transport system, that’s why I’ve taken back control of the Liverpool City Region’s.” He continued: “For decades, we’ve seen private operators run down services while driving up profits, and it’s our communities that have paid the price.” He added: “Reliable, affordable services are vital, and the fare cap has helped to build confidence in the bus network after COVID.” Rotheram also stated: “The Labour government has at least ensured a maximum cap stays in place, and the additional billion pounds for buses is welcome.” He concluded his statement by saying: “I’ll be fighting to make sure the Liverpool City Region gets our fair share of that funding and am already examining what measures we can take locally to keep fares as affordable as possible.” In Greater Manchester, Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed that their bus fares would continue to be capped at £2, a statement made prior to Ms Reeves’ address from the despatch box. Opposition members within the Liverpool City Region have called on Rotheram to adopt a similar approach. For further listening, content from BBC Radio Merseyside is available on Sounds, and updates from BBC Merseyside can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp at 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available for review.