MP welcomes £2 fare extension and calls on Council to order new bus fleet

WARRINGTON South MP Andy Carter has welcomed an extension on a £2 price freeze on bus fares, while also urging the borough council to order a new electric bus fleet.

Local residents will continue to benefit from the freeze in bus fares after the Government announced that it is investing £200 million in extending the cap for single bus fares at £2 outside of London until October 2023, and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024. The investment comes as part of a wider £500 million package which will also support the improvement of vital local transport routes across the UK.

The £2 fare extension builds on the £42 million bus investment put into Warrington as part of its Town Deal and Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding from the Government. The funding has gone towards the construction of a new bus depot on Dallam Lane near to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and will enable Warrington’s Own Buses to replace its entire current fleet with more than 100 zero emission buses.

During Wednesday’s Transport statement in the House of Commons, Mr Carter welcomed the continued £2 fares and also called on Warrington Borough Council to get on with placing the order for the new bus fleet, saying:
“18 months ago Warrington Borough Council were given more than £20 million to acquire a new fleet of zero emission buses. The Labour Council are still to place an order for those buses. Can I urge the Minister to use his office to put a rocket up the exhaust pipe of Warrington Borough Council and get those buses ordered!”

Responding, Transport Minister Richard Holden, who visit Warrington in February to see the progress on the new bus depot, said he would continue to work with the MP to press the Borough Council to get on with the job and deliver for the people of Warrington.
Mr Carter added:”The extension to the fare cap is really welcome, I’ve spoken to many people over the last few months who’ve saved money on journeys as a result of the support from Government and local people who’ve used the bus for the first time.
“I’m very keen to see the new zero emission buses on the streets in Warrington, the Borough Council has had around £40million in total to help build and equip the new bus depot, improve route coverage and buy new buses. Everyone now wants to see that work completed and the new buses picking up passengers.”

The Transport Secretary Mr Harper added: “Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day. This half a billion pounds investment will help people save money amid cost of living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.”