Andy Munns
The £2 single bus fare promotion has been extended until 30 June, so people in Wiltshire can enjoy cheap and convenient travel until the summer.
The promotion, which began on 1 January, is proving to be very popular in Wiltshire, with one bus operator in the county seeing more than 70,000 reduced-fare trips in the first month alone.
The extended fare price reduction, aimed at getting more people to use buses during the current cost of living challenges, means that Wiltshire bus users can travel on most routes in the county for just £2 or less for a single fare.
Local operator Faresaver has seen a rise in trips in January, and other operators around Wiltshire are also seeing large numbers of passengers taking advantage of the offer.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It’s fantastic news that the government has decided to extend the £2 bus far scheme until the end of June, and that so many people in Wiltshire taking advantage of this offer.
“Taking the bus not only helps to maintain bus routes in Wiltshire, but it also helps to reduce congestion and carbon emissions, and improve air quality, which are all aims in our Business Plan.
“As the offer now runs into the summer, there is plenty of time for people to take advantage and explore Wiltshire by bus – and save money at the same time.”
Daniel Pickford, Director at Faresaver, said: “The £2 fare cap scheme has seen more than 70,000 trips have been made on our services in January alone.
“It’s great to see so many people taking advantage of this offer and the feedback we have received so far has been really positive. We have had existing passengers say how much it is helping with the financial pressures many households are feeling at the moment and also new passengers trying the bus for the first time.
“The initiative runs until 30 June and so we encourage everyone to make the most of this offer while it lasts.”
Many single bus fares throughout Wiltshire have been capped at just £2 for both adults and concessions. If the single fare was originally less than £2, it will remain at the reduced price, and many day return tickets have also been reduced.
Most bus services are included in the promotion, including services operated in Wiltshire by the following bus companies:
- Beeline Coaches
- Coachstyle
- Damory Coaches
- Faresaver
- First Bus
- Fromebus
- Libra Travel
- MoreBus
- Stagecoach
- Salisbury Reds
- SouthWest Coaches
- Swindon’s Bus Company
To find out more about bus services and operators in Wiltshire, people should go to: www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk/getting-around/bus/
