Preston Bus has stated it cannot yet confirm whether it will join the new government's £2 single bus fare cap scheme, which is slated to operate throughout 2027. The operator has indicated that it requires further details regarding how bus companies will be reimbursed for participating in the initiative.
The announcement of the new scheme, backed by £400 million, was welcomed by Preston Bus, which acknowledged its potential benefits for passengers grappling with the cost of living. However, the company emphasised that it has “not received any further details” on the practical implementation of the cap, stressing that such schemes “must be fully funded” for operators to be sustainable.
This hesitation follows Preston Bus's decision to withdraw from the existing national £3 fare cap scheme in January of this year. Since leaving that voluntary programme, the company has been charging £3.50 for a standard adult single fare. At the time, the Department for Transport noted that participation was at the discretion of individual operators, while highlighting the £150 million annual funding for the £3 scheme.
The new Burnham government has championed the return to a £2 cap, asserting that it will offer significant relief to passengers, especially those in rural areas where single fares can typically be higher. The previous £3 scheme had received over £150 million annually in funding, but Preston Bus had previously highlighted that reimbursement levels in 2026 had not matched those of 2025, even as operating costs continued to climb.
Preston Bus has confirmed it will thoroughly assess the new plan once the reimbursement arrangements are made available. Until then, no definitive decision on its participation will be announced, leaving passengers in Preston and surrounding areas uncertain about potential fare reductions on their services next year.