00:01The North East's £2.50 cap on bus fares looks set to be extended, keeping travel costs lower for passengers while national prices continue to rise.
00:11North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and council leaders are expected to approve a proposal later in the month that would maintain the current £2.50 single fare fine until the end of March 2026.
00:23That's 50 pence below the national adult fare cap, which increased to £3 at the end of last year.
00:30The North East Combined Authority stepped in with funding to absorb the increase, but other city regions, including Greater Manchester and Liverpool, have gone further by keeping fares at the previous £2 level.
00:42The extension of the current fare offer would cost around £8.7 million.
00:47A final decision on whether the scheme will continue beyond March 2026 is expected in November, depending on government funding and negotiations with bus operators.
00:57A range of capped fares are due to be extended as part of the plan, including £1 single fares for under-22-year-olds, day tickets such as the £5 Durham Day Rover and £6 Northumberland Day Rover, as well as the £7.50 Tynion Weir Day Saver.
01:13Mayor McGuinness says the fares are helping people across the region travel more affordably, adding that,
01:19while bus operators continue to put profits over people, we're doing what we can to keep travel affordable until we can bring buses back under public control.
01:29The national £3 cap on annual bus fares has already been extended to March 2027.
01:36The next North East Combined Authority meeting is also expected to approve a series of other transport investments.
01:42of the Cookies will be added in to the top fare at adequate
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