Millions of people across England will be able to save money on bus travel as a new maximum price for fares has been introduced on more than 4,600 routes.

More than 130 operators outside of London will charge no more than £2 for a single ticket until the end of March.

The cap is being paid for by £60 million of Government funding.

Single fares for a three-mile journey outside London cost an average of around £2.80 but tickets can exceed £5 for long journeys in rural areas, according to the Department for Transport.

Bournemouth Echo:

It is hoped the cap will help passengers travelling for education, work and medical appointments amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Journeys with some of the biggest savings include between Leeds and Scarborough (£13), Lancaster and Kendall (£12.50), and Plymouth and Exeter (£9.20).

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “By helping passengers outside London save almost a third off the average single bus ticket and taking two million cars off the road, the £2 bus fare cap is a fantastic way to start the new year.

“Buses are a key part of our vision for a clean, efficient and modern transport network that is affordable for everyone.

“That’s why we’re investing £60 million to encourage everyone to hop on the bus and ‘Get Around for £2’.”

A report published in July by pressure group Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) highlighted how funding pressures have led to more than a quarter of English bus services being axed in a decade.

Responding to the introduction of the cap, CBT director of external affairs and former Lib Dem transport minister Norman Baker said: “Affordable bus travel really is a win-win.

“Capping bus fares in this way will help struggling households, cut traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and inject new life into dwindling bus services.

“We think the £2 cap should be extended indefinitely.”

The DfT made more than £2 billion available to bus operators to keep services in England running during the coronavirus pandemic.

It said it will “consider future support”, with the current emergency funding deal expiring in March.

DfT figures show ridership on buses in Britain outside London was around 10% below pre-coronavirus levels in recent weeks.

Martin McTague, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “More than a third of small firms consider public transport important to their business.

“It is therefore encouraging to see support on bus fares as we battle tough economic conditions.

“This move will likely encourage shoppers to go to towns and cities – just the fuel we need for economic growth.”