The price of a single journey on a Purbeck Breezer bus will be capped at £3 from the beginning of 2025, rising from £2.
The £2 bus fare cap – part of the government’s Help for Households initiative – is ending on Tuesday 31st December 2024.
We haven’t seen the back of the fare cap yet!
New £3 cap until the end of 2025
Initially it looked like the £2 cap would be scrapped but in October 2024 it was announced by the government that it would be replaced from Wednesday 1st January 2025 with a new cap of £3 until the end of 2025.
Adult single fares on Morebus, which covers Swanage and Purbeck, will range from £2.40 to £3, with the maximum cost of a return costing £6. It may mean that 30 day or 90 day passes will be better value for regular passengers.
Morebus head of communications, Nikki Honer said:
“For those who travel regularly, there may be savings to be made with our period passes – a 30 day zone C pass, which covers the Swanage area, is £123. That’s just £4.10 per day for unlimited travel.
“And there are further savings with a 90 day pass at £284, which works out at approximately £3.15 per day.
“We’re working hard to ensure people across our area continue to travel by bus – and to persuade more to leave their cars at home and hop on board with us instead. Keeping our period pass fares as low as possible is part of that, and will be particularly useful for commuters.
“Bringing as many people as possible onto our buses and taking cars off the roads will help improve air quality across the region. Not only that, it will also ease congestion which will, in turn, cut journey times for all.”
You can’t get to the North Pole on a Purbeck Breezer but it will take you to Norden!
New Buses Bill expected in 2025
The move to keep the fare cap, although at a higher rate, comes ahead of a new Buses Bill, to be introduced later in 2025, which aims to deliver modern and integrated bus networks for all passengers.
In November 2024, it was announced that just over £3.8 million had been allocated to Dorset Council to support, improve and protect crucial bus services, although it’s much less money than other English regions will get.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is to get just over £6 million, while Devon County Council has been allocated just over £11.6 million, and Cornwall Council will receive around £10.5 million.
Purbeck Breezer buses have proved very popular due to the introduction of low flat rate fares
“Bus passengers want simpler, better value for money fares”
David Sidebottom, director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, speaking at the time of the announcement of the £3 bus cap, said:
“We know that bus passengers want simpler, better value for money fares and buses provide a lifeline for so many people up and down the country. Our research shows the fare cap is having a big impact in helping more people get around by bus.
“We welcome the wider investment in services, and the announcement of a new £3 cap on bus fares will provide certainty for many people who are struggling and worried about the cost of travel.”
Further information
- More about Purbeck Breezer routes and Morebus
