TRANSDEV – which operates Keighley Bus Company – has welcomed an extension to the £2 cap on single fares.

The measure was due to expire at the end of next month.

But the Department for Transport has announced that the initiative, designed to encourage passengers back onto buses post-pandemic, will now continue until the end of June.

Under the scheme, Keighley Bus Company customers pay a maximum of £2 for any single journey.

Transdev says that since the measure was introduced, the firm has seen passenger numbers rise.

Commercial director, Paul Turner, said: "We are delighted that the Department for Transport has announced the £2 fare cap will be extended.

"So far during the fare cap we have seen an 11 per cent increase in customers on some of our routes, compared to numbers in November, and we’ve also seen the busiest day in the history of our company.

"The three-month extension to the cap is bound to be good news for our existing passengers, and we hope it will continue to encourage new customers out of the car and onto the bus."

The Government says up to £75 million is being provided so that bus operators in England can continue to cap fares.

And an additional £80 million will help maintain "critical" services.

During the pandemic, bus usage dropped to as low as ten per cent of pre-Covid levels.

Numbers have recovered, but are still only at around 85 to 90 per cent of where they stood prior to the pandemic.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, says: "Travelling by bus remains the most popular option for commuters and families across the country, but the sector is still trying to recover following the pandemic.

"We are providing £155 million to help passengers save money on fares, get more people on the bus and protect vital routes – helping with the cost of living and enabling people to get where they need to in an affordable and convenient way.

"The Government is working closely with the sector on the challenges it faces regarding changing travel patterns since the pandemic and will continue to work on delivering a national bus strategy.

"The existing £60 million investment to cap single bus fares has already shown early signs of increased bus use, with an independent survey of 1,000 people from passenger watchdog Transport Focus showing seven per cent of respondents were using the bus more."