• Published

Preston Bus says it cannot confirm whether it will join a new government scheme capping single fares at £2 from January because it has not been told how operators will be reimbursed.

Under the current national scheme, participating operators cap eligible single fares at £3, but participation is voluntary. Preston Bus left the scheme in January and now charges £3.50 for a standard adult single.

The government said the new scheme will run throughout 2027 and is backed by £400m, but its announcement does not set out payments for individual operators.

Preston Bus welcomed the announcement and recognised its potential to help passengers with the cost of living.

However, it said it had "not received any further details" and believed fare-cap schemes "must be fully funded" for operators.

The company said it would assess the plan when the reimbursement arrangements were available. No decision on whether it will participate has been announced.

The new Burnham government said going back to a £2 cap would particularly help passengers in rural areas where single fares can be higher.

In February, after Preston Bus left the £3 scheme, the Department for Transport said: "It's up to bus operators if they want to participateâ¦but we're providing over £150m a year for the scheme so bus fares can stay low, helping passengers get from A to B."

That statement and the £150m figure concerned the existing £3 scheme and pre-dated the new £2 announcement.

It said reimbursement provided in 2025 had not continued at the same level in 2026, while operating costs had risen.