As of 1 January 2025, the national bus fare cap in England has increased from £2 to £3 per single journey. This adjustment, announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, aims to maintain affordable bus travel across the country.
In Essex, this fare cap applies to numerous bus services, ensuring that passengers pay no more than £3 for a single trip.
For a list of transport providers and routes taking part in the scheme, please refer to the official government website. DigiGo fares will also be capped at £3 this year, with some even cheaper, thanks to the scheme. For journeys between 0 to 2 miles, previous standard fares will apply: £2.50 for an ‘Adult’ fare and £1.87 for a ‘Young Person’.
This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to support public transport users and encourage bus travel by keeping fares reasonable. The £3 fare cap is set to remain in place until December 2025.