Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a nationwide £2 cap on single bus fares in England, effective from January 2027.This measure replaces the previous £3 cap and aims to make public transport more affordable for millions of commuters.The policy is backed by £500 million in funding, with £454 million sourced from repurposed international climate finance loans and budget savings.Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised the move as a way to simplify everyday journeys.However, critics like Darren Jones, a former Labour minister, have questioned its affordability.Burnham emphasized that the policy is funded by reallocating existing budgets, ensuring no additional tax burden on taxpayers.

The cap reverses an earlier increase implemented by the previous Labour government in 2024, with some metro mayors, including Burnham himself, having previously enforced lower rates in their regions.Chancellor John Healey reiterated that the fare reduction will provide households with much-needed financial relief amid rising living costs.