A local bus operator has said they're increasing their bus fares in the New Year, blaming in part Labour's decision to hike the bus fare cap by 50% and the increase in Employer National Insurance Contributions.
Diamond Bus, which operates in Redditch and the Villages, has warned bus users that “we will have to increase our fares in order to cover this escalation in costs and the reduction in fares subsidy.”
Two of the reasons the bus operator has blamed for their decision is the Labour Government's 50% hike in the bus fare cap. Under plans announced by Labour, the current bus fare pricing cap of £2 will rise to £3 when it ends on December 31st.
And following Labour's first Budget, Diamond Bus have also blamed the Government's decision to increase Employer National Insurance Contributions as another reason behind their decision to increase bus fares.
Rachel said:
"As fares go up, it is likely passenger numbers will go down and ultimately bus companies may be forced to make difficult decisions about essential services.
"The impact of the increases will be felt right across the board from young people using buses to access education, to workers and older people who have the bus as their only source of transport to go to appointments, go shopping or visit family and friends.
"There's still time for the Transport Secretary to u-turn on the 50% fare cap hike and I urge them to do so."
Labour’s lack of support for local bus services is in stark contrast to the millions of pounds they received from the previous Conservative government.
Under Rachel’s watch, Worcestershire County Council benefitted from a total of £6,292,372 in funding from the previous Conservative government to support bus services since 2022.
The funding from the previous Conservative government helped the County Council to deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plan and establish a new Enhanced Partnership with bus operators.
During her time as the MP for Redditch and the Villages, Rachel worked hard to improve bus services. She chaired the first cross-party Redditch Bus Travel Task Force meeting. The Task Force brought together representatives from Worcestershire County Council, Diamond Bus and Age UK, as well as Borough and County Councillors from all political parties.
