Green councillors in Oxfordshire have condemned the bus fare cap increase announced as part of the Budget by the government this week.

In January, the £2 bus fare cap will be replaced by a new £3 cap until the end of 2025, the government has announced.

Sir Keir Starmer admitted earlier this week that the issue is an important matter for rural communities in particular "where there is a heavy reliance on buses". 

READ MORE: Why there is a huge crane in Botley Road this week

(Image: Oxford Mail)The £2 cap was introduced by the previous government and maintained since January 2023. A government report from last year highlighted positive impacts on bus usage.

Green councillors have condemned the increase.

READ MORE: £2 bus fare cap will be scrapped in budget 

Leader of the county council Green group Ian Middleton said: "The £2 bus fare cap was a surprisingly equitable policy from the Tory government.

(Image: Ian Middleton) "Not only does it promote more sustainable travel, particularly in rural areas, it also supports those who rely on buses at a time of increased cost of living.

"I’m pleased to see Labour maintain the principle of a cap, but a 50 per cent increase would see a return journey costing an extra £2 a day.

"For those commuting to work this adds up to £10 or more per week.

"This piles yet more pressure on to those on lower incomes and undermines a fundamental part of our plan to tackle climate change by getting people out of private cars and on to public transport.”

(Image: Oxford Mail) Green city councillor Emily Kerr added: "While I'm relieved the bus fare cap is staying, increasing it by 50 per cent shows Labour is sadly moving in the wrong direction on public transport.

"We need to be encouraging more people out of cars and onto buses - I hope Labour change course and keep the £2 cap."

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get:         

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website       
  • Advert-light access           
  • Reader rewards           
  • Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.