Bus fare scheme extended

There has been a three-month extension to the £2 cap on bus fares in England, following warnings that operators could cut hundreds of services if it ended.

More than 130 bus operators outside London apply the cap, which is part of a government-funded scheme.

The government has extended the scheme — due to expire on Friday 31st March — until Friday 30th June.

Bus operators have been struggling to maintain service levels in the face of rising costs and passenger numbers not returning to pre-pandemic levels.