The £2 fare cap on buses in England has been extended for three months and is welcomed by the Campaign, saying people should take one to the pub.

The cap applies to more than 130 bus operators outside London. It had been due to expire on 31 March, but has been extended until the end of June.

Bus operators have been struggling to maintain service levels in the face of rising costs and passenger numbers not recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

The cap was introduced partly as a cost of living measure but is also meant to encourage people back on to buses.

CAMRA has welcomed the decision as it will help people get to and from the pub. 

CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona said: “Cheaper bus fares are great news for the beer and pub trade, making it affordable for people to go out to visit their locals. Extending the £2 bus fare scheme for England is something that we had called on transport ministers to do so pubs, social clubs, breweries and cider producers grappling with the cost-of-business crisis can benefit from people being able to get to the pub in an affordable and environmentally friendly way.

“We’ll be raising a glass to this decision and we look forward to meeting with buses minister Richard Holden in his North-West Durham constituency soon to show how the £2 bus fare can benefit pub-goers and hospitality businesses alike.”