£2 bus fare cap to be extended across Liverpool until the end of 2025

It has been announced that the £2 bus fare cap will remain in place until the end of 2025 – despite the national fare cap rising to £3 in January this year.

The decision offers support to residents ahead of the festive season and forms part of the Mayor’s wider strategy to make public transport more affordable and accessible across the Liverpool City Region, especially as the bus network transitions to franchising and public ownership.

Introduced by the Mayor in September 2022 with funding from the region’s Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) settlement, the £2 fare cap has helped bus passenger numbers bounce back following the pandemic.

Last November the Mayor extended the city region’s £2 bus fare cap until September 2025, in response to the national fare cap rising to £3 in January 2025.

Since its introduction, more passengers than ever have enjoyed cheaper journeys – including savings on cross-river services. The £2 fare cap has transformed bus from being the most expensive to the least expensive way to cross the River Mersey.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“I promised that we’d cap fares for three years, not only have we done that, we’ve been able to extend this even further.

“By keeping bus fares capped at £2 until the end of 2025, we’re making sure that people can continue to get to work, school, and appointments without worrying about rising travel costs. At a time when many other parts of the country are seeing fares increase, we’re choosing to do things differently here in the Liverpool City Region – making public transport more affordable, fairer, and better for everyone.

“And with the busy — and often expensive — Christmas period around the corner, I’m glad this decision will give families a little extra breathing space too. It’s one of the ways we’re putting money back into people’s pockets and encouraging more people to use our fantastic public transport system.”

Bus travel is the most popular form of public transport in the Liverpool City Region, accounting for over 80 per cent of all journeys made every day.

Since taking office, the Mayor has delivered major improvements to public transport across the Liverpool City Region – putting passengers first.

Key milestones include the introduction of £500 million publicly owned trains and the launch of the ‘Tap and Go’ smart ticketing system on Merseyrail, making travel more convenient and accessible.

Supporting young people remains a priority, with the MyTicket fare cap allowing unlimited all-day bus travel for just £2.20. Earlier this year, the Mayor also introduced a free travel pass for care leavers aged 18–21, helping them move into independent living with greater confidence and freedom.

The Combined Authority continues to champion inclusive travel, offering one of the most generous concessionary schemes in the country. Merseyside residents aged 60 and over benefit from free travel on buses, trains, and cross-river Mersey Ferry commuter services, helping to ensure they remain connected to their communities and essential services.