2023: The summer of £2 bus adventures
Another week, another campaign win. On Wednesday, the Government announced a further extension to the £2 bus fare cap in England, this time until 31 October, after which fares will stay at £2.50 until November 2024. This is excellent news and proves that when fares are affordable, more people will use buses and revenue can be raised. We really want the Government to properly market these low-cost fares to grow passenger numbers, which brings me to this blog and some weather chat…
Finally, finally, it’s feeling like spring, signifying the start of longer, warmer evenings to spend outdoors, and the end of me trudging to work in my huge winter coat. It also means that now is the perfect time to make use of the capped £2 bus fares.
To recap for any unfamiliar with the Government’s ‘Get around for £2 scheme’, in January, single bus fares in England were capped at £2 for three months. These bargain bus journeys were aimed at encouraging passengers back onboard struggling bus services and enticing new customers too. A great idea, at a terrible time of year.
We campaigned hard and lobbied government to extend the fare cap for another three months, giving people the chance to make use of it in warmer weather, when the urge to daytrip is significantly stronger than in the darkest depths of January. Now, the scheme will run into Autumn.
And so here we are! I’m skipping to work in a light jacket, and we’ve got the whole summer to fill with cheap days out by bus. And from what we can tell so far, it’s leisure travellers who are really driving the use of the new fares and in some places, boosting local economies as a result. In Yorkshire, some bus routes previously at risk of cuts, are reporting a 75 per cent increase uplift as day-trippers flock to explore the Yorkshire Dales.
Many of the routes included in the cap are perfect for exploring England’s countryside. Fares are capped on all of Cornwall’s ‘Coaster’ routes which transport passengers along the coast, as well as the buses used to get around the Lake District, Exmoor, and along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.
Fancy extending your trip? Canopy & Stars promotes sustainable travel with advice on how to reach their amazing holiday lets by public transport.
For inspiration, we’ve rounded up our favourite daytrip destinations and Canopy & Stars getaways, all of which can be reached using the £2 bus fares in England.
Yorkshire:
Whitby via the Coastliner 840. If starting in Leeds, you could travel the 75 miles to this famous slice of the Yorkshire coast for just £2! This is officially Britain’s most scenic bus route travelling through the North York Moors to reach its seaside destination.
The National Railway Museum in York via the No. 10, First Bus York. At Campaign for Better Transport, we don’t discriminate in our love for all modes of public transport. Explore the history of Britain’s railways and celebrate 100 years of the Flying Scotsman through a VR experience. Museum admission is free, but advance booking is advised.
The Yorkshire Dales, via Metro Dalesbus services. The Dalesbuses are the perfect way to access the Yorkshire Dales, with double decker buses to enjoy the views from. Popular places reached by the DalesBus include: Bolton Abbey, Malham, Hawes, Fountains Abbey, Grassington and Ingleton.
Where to stay:
Lark– a cosy Scandinavian cottage on the edge of the North York Moors. Take the No.80 Coatham Coaches service to Osmotherly – within walking distance of the cottage.
South West England:
Dartmoor National Park via the Dartmoor Explorer. Reached from Exeter or Plymouth the explorer takes you across the moors through popular towns and villages.
Padstow and Newquay via the Atlantic Coaster. An ideal way to discover North Cornwall’s famous beaches and seaside towns.
Glastonbury and Wells via the No. 376 Mendip Explorer. Make it a double daytrip special in Somerset, Wells cathedral then onto Glastonbury Tor.
Where to stay:
The Danish Cabin, Cornwall. Take the No. 95 Plymouth Citybus from Bude, the Pixies Cottage bus stop is a 6 minute walk from the site.
The Lake District:
Stagecoach have put together this fantastic guide to getting around the Lakes by bus. All buses listed are included in the £2 cap, able to take you from Windemere and Bowness in the South up to Keswick and Buttermere in the North.
Where to stay:
The Hog House. Coniston, Cumbria. Take the No. 516 Stagecoach Cumbria service to Skelwith Bridge.
South East England:
Brighton to Eastbourne, via the No.12 Brighton & Hove buses. More seaside exploring made more affordable by the £2 fare cap!
Where to stay:
Gold Top, Sussex. Take the No.17 Stagecoach South service from Brighton, stopping at Partridge Green.
North East England:
Hadrian’s Wall via the AD122 Go North East. From Chesters Roman Fort to Walltown Crags, this route takes passengers back to AD122, ideal for exploring our Roman past or hiking in the wild Northumbrian landscape.
Where to stay:
Lottie’s Cabin, Morpeth. Take the No. 15X Arriva Northumberia service from Morpeth to Oak Inn.
We’d love to see pictures from your £2 bus journey adventures, so please tag us on social media! Our competition with Canopy and Stars will close at 23.59 on 31 May 2023.
