Between 1st January and 31st March 2023 the price of single bus fares on most operators in England is being capped at £2.00.
More than 130 bus companies are taking part, covering the overwhelming majority of English bus routes.
As The Guardian has reported this includes some of the UK’s most scenic – and longest – routes like Leeds to Whitby (currently threatened due to North Yorkshire County Council looking to cut its subsidy from April 2023) cost just £2.00 each way.
This policy, which as the Campaign for Better Transport persuasively argues should be extended, has many benefits for walkers looking to explore the country without a car.
Many major settlements in the Midlands including big towns like Newcastle-under-Lyme in northern Staffordshire, as well as key walking destinations like Bridgnorth and Kington in the west of the region and Ashbourne and Ashby-de-la-Zouch in the east, lack railway stations.
Numerous rural routes such as those radiating from Hereford and Lincoln as well as those criss-crossing the Peak District and the Areas of Oustanding Natural Beauty will suddenly cost £2.00 each way. Something which will benefit residents, daytrippers and holidaymakers alike.
Will it catalyse long term change, reinforce and hopefully grow England’s battered bus network? Time will tell. The evidence from Germany’s even more impressive 9 Euro a month all local travel pass in thr summer of 2022 was encouraging but mixed. Ideally the scheme needs to become permanent and extend to other forms of public transport.
However, whilst it exists do enjoy it. Happy walking.