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Norfolk bus services capped at £2 for start of 2023 - but West Norfolk and Swaffham companies not to take part




Commuters' pockets may feel a little heavier after a bus fare cap was announced for the next three months - but two West Norfolk companies won't be taking part.

Nine bus operators in Norfolk have confirmed that they will take part in the Bus Fare Cap Grant scheme - which means all single journeys will cost no more than £2.

It will run from January 1 until March 31, and was made possible due to funding as part of the Government's Help for Households campaign.

Bus services across the county will put in place a £2 fare cap
Bus services across the county will put in place a £2 fare cap

The Department for Transport announced plans in September to invest up to £60million in bus services outside of London.

Martin Wilby, the Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure, said: "At a time when many are struggling with the rising cost of living, this is a welcome investment to help bring down travel costs for many.

"All our local operators already offer really good value fares, particularly for multiple trips or group tickets - but this offer will benefit those residents who may only use the bus occasionally or for those who want to try using the bus for the first time.

"Schemes like this complement our own work in improving bus services across Norfolk well and support us in our ambitions to get more people using public transport more often."

Operators taking part are:

  • BorderBus
  • First
  • Konectbus
  • Our Bus
  • Sanders
  • Simonds
  • Coach Services
  • Stagecoach
  • Semmence

However, Lynx and WNCT Ltd - which operate in West Norfolk - and Vectare, which runs the flexibus+ in Swaffham, have decided not to participate in the scheme.

This is because the majority of their fares, including when buying multiple trip tickets, are already cheaper than the £2 single fare.

Piers Marlow, managing director at First East of England, said: "A flat fare scheme such as this has never been introduced on such a large scale and so whilst we welcome the initiative, we, along with all operators, are unsure of just how much demand this may create.

"As such we ask that passengers bear with us for the first few days of the scheme as there may be some services which will require us to deploy additional vehicles to cope with demand."

Buses Minister Richard Holden added: "Bus travel remains the most popular form of public transport in England, making up around half of all journeys.

"That’s why we’re investing £60million to cap single bus fares at £2 to support every passenger and help get people back on the bus.

"With the scheme set to take two million car journeys off the road, it’s fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up to the fare cap, helping people to ‘Get Around for £2’ between January 1 and March 31."



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