Now Burnham eyes £2 cap on bus fares to tackle cost-of-living crisis
Andy Burnham is considering introducing a £2 cap on bus fares as part of efforts to ease the cost-of-living crisis, according to reports. The proposal comes as Burnham begins operating from what has been dubbed "No10 North" in Manchester, which he insists is "not a gimmick" despite a permanent office not being due to open until 2032.
The fare cap plan follows Burnham telling Cabinet colleagues they must "always show how they are going to pay" for new policies, a message delivered shortly after he unveiled an £850 million package of support for energy bills that has yet to be funded. Further details on how the bus fare cap itself would be financed have not been confirmed.
In short
- Burnham considers £2 cap on bus fares amid cost-of-living crisis
- Working from new "No10 North" base in Manchester
- Move follows unfunded £850m energy bills support package
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that capping bus fares at £2 makes essential travel affordable for low-income workers, students and pensioners who have borne the brunt of rising living costs, while also encouraging a shift away from car use that benefits congestion and emissions. They point to the Greater Manchester scheme as evidence that a simple, predictable fare can boost ridership and public confidence in buses as a reliable service. For advocates, this is a proportionate use of state intervention to address a market that, left alone, often prices out the very people who depend on public transport most.
The case against
Critics contend that a blanket fare cap is a costly subsidy that may not target help efficiently, since it benefits all bus users regardless of income rather than focusing support on those most in need. They warn that funding the shortfall to operators risks diverting money from other transport investment, such as infrastructure or route expansion, or could eventually fall on taxpayers or local budgets already under strain. Sceptics also question whether a policy that worked in one region will scale nationally without unintended consequences, such as operators cutting less profitable routes to offset lost fare revenue.
Explained simply
Andy Burnham is the elected mayor of Greater Manchester, a city region in north-west England. He oversees transport across the area, including bus services, and works with local councils and transport operators.
Bus fares affect the cost of travelling to work, school and appointments, particularly for people who rely on public transport. A fare cap limits how much passengers pay for a journey, but its cost must be covered by fares, public money or a combination of the two.
The proposal sits within wider efforts to ease household costs and raises questions about how new support would be paid for. Burnham’s approach matters to Greater Manchester residents and may also attract attention from other areas considering ways to make travel more affordable.
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