Dorset bus company Morebus has confirmed that the £2 cap on the cost of a single bus fare will continue until the end of June 2023 across Purbeck and its wider operating area.
Since the price cap was first introduced on Sunday 1st January 2023 it has more than halved the cost of bus fares on routes from Swanage to Wareham, Poole and Bournemouth.
Department for Transport funded scheme
Morebus, along with more than another 130 bus companies including National Express and Stagecoach has signed up to the Department for Transport funded scheme that restricts the cost of a single ticket to £2.
It applies to adult and child single fares, although the government subsidy doesn’t apply to school bus journeys including the school bus between Swanage and The Purbeck School in Wareham.
The scheme was meant to end on Friday 31st March 2023 but it has now been extended until Friday 30th June 2023.
Purbeck Breezer cost savings
Number 40 – Swanage bus station to Wareham railway station
Fare 2022: Adult single £6, Adult return £8.50, Child single £4.50, Child return £5.50
Current price: Adult single £2, Adult return £4, Child single £2, Child return £4
Number 50 Swanage bus station to Bournemouth Square
Fare 2022: Adult single £8, Adult return £10, Child single £4.50, Child return £5.50
Current price: Adult single £2, Adult return £4, Child single £2, Child return £4
Number 40 – Swanage bus station to Poole bus station
Fare 2022: Adult single £7.50, Adult return £9.50, Child single £4.50, Child return £5.50
Current price: Adult single £2, Adult return £4, Child single £2, Child return £4
Sandbanks Ferry pictured on Monday 20th February 2023 ready to resume service
Purbeck Breezer route via Sandbanks Ferry to resume soon
The extension of the scheme comes just as the Sandbanks Ferry is due to resume its service between Studland and Sandbanks. It’s been out of action since the end of October 2022 for planned maintenance and an unplanned incident that damaged the southern prow of the ferry.
This has meant that the Purbeck Breezer 50 route between Swanage and Bournemouth via the ferry has been diverted via Wareham instead.
However with the expected return of the ferry service by Friday 24th February 2023 it will mean that passengers from Swanage to Bournemouth will be able to take advantage of the £2 fare across the scenic ferry route.
The view from the bus on the Sandbanks Ferry. The Purbeck Breezer 50 is expected to resume via the ferry by Friday 24th February 2023
“We want to help reduce congestion and improve air quality across Dorset”
Morebus managing director Andrew Wickham said:
“I am delighted to confirm that Morebus will continue to offer the £2 fare cap – in line with the government’s announcement that the initiative will be extended until the end of June 2023.
“This is about encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and choose sustainable transport instead. Like the government, we want to help reduce congestion and improve air quality across Dorset.
“With this in mind, Morebus is investing in the bus services of the future. We recently announced an investment of £7.7 million in 28 brand new double decker vehicles for our region because we want to make travelling with us an even more enjoyable and comfortable experience.
“I am encouraged by the government’s decision and am looking forward to welcoming new customers on-board over the coming months.”
The main bus stop in Swanage at Station Approach
“I want to make bus travel affordable for all”
Announcing not only the extension of the £2 bus fare cap but also an additional £80 million to support bus services for a further three months across England, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“I want to make bus travel affordable for all, that’s why we’re continuing to cap fares at £2 and protecting local routes, ensuring we have a modern and efficient network that’s accessible for everyone.”
Further information
- More about routes and timetables is on the Morebus website
