Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has openly criticised Keir Starmer’s Labour government over plans to raise the bus fare cap in the UK. Burnham has vowed to keep the fare capped at £2 in Greater Manchester, highlighting the potential harm of this increase on working-class communities.
Labour’s bus fare cap decision sparks backlash
In the first Labour budget in over a decade, Starmer announced a rise in the bus fare cap from £2 to £3, aimed at raising funds to support work-return initiatives. However, critics argue this increase will impact low-income workers who rely on affordable transport. Starmer’s move has drawn criticism from politicians across the spectrum.
Burnham takes a stand for Greater Manchester
Burnham responded by reassuring Greater Manchester residents that the £2 fare cap will remain in place locally, thanks to the area’s public-controlled Bee Network. He acknowledged that Greater Manchester is uniquely positioned to maintain this cap due to recent changes in bus service control.
Public control of Greater Manchester’s bus services
In 2023, Greater Manchester gained control over its bus services through franchising, allowing the combined authority to set fares and manage services. Although private companies still operate the buses, this framework gives the authority significant control. This local authority control, allowed by the Bus Services Act 2017, has empowered Greater Manchester to uphold the £2 fare cap while other regions face the price hike.
Calls for wider bus service franchising powers
Labour’s Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, announced plans in September to introduce legislation enabling councils across the country to follow Greater Manchester’s franchising model. Critics argue that the government should have postponed lifting the cap until more regions had these franchising powers in place, to prevent widespread fare hikes impacting low-income communities.
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