Cheap bus fares set to continue

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WARRINGTON Borough Council is moving ahead with plans to keep low bus fares in place until at least the end of the year.

The council’s Cabinet is being asked, at its meeting of 10 February, to approve plans for further enhancements to bus services in the borough over the next 12 months – using £3.8m of Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding.
This includes plans to maintain reduced, capped bus fares of £2 for all adult single journeys and £1 for all single journeys made by under 22’s.
First launched in 2022, as part of Warrington’s Better by Bus programme, the low fares have proved to be extremely popular with passengers – and they are now set to continue until at least the end of 2025, despite January’s national fare cap increase from £2 to £3. The council is now carrying out further work to explore keeping low fares in place in 2026 and beyond.
At its meeting, the Cabinet will also be asked to approve the submission to government of Warrington’s 2025/26 BSIP plan. This includes a range of further improvements planned for the next 12 months, including:

• The continued protection of socially necessary bus services, along with enhanced service frequencies and new services where possible.
• The completion of the A49 Winwick Road Bus Priority scheme and monitoring of its impact on bus journey times and punctuality
• Re-introducing a real time passenger information system, alongside the new apps and improved electronic information at bus stops
• A feasibility study of improvements needed at Warrington Bus Interchange, aimed at addressing its condition and continuing to address anti-social behaviour

Warrington Borough Council Leader and cabinet member for transport, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “We recognise the importance of high quality, affordable and reliable bus services. They connect people to jobs, education, and essential services, while supporting our plans to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and create a healthier and more vibrant Warrington.

“We’ve now set out our plans for how we will use the latest round of BSIP funding to continue our transformation of bus services over the next 12 months. If approved by Cabinet, these plans will enable us to continue with our fare cap, and deliver many other improvements, such as the completion of key bus priority projects, the protection and enhancement of services and improved electronic information for passengers.”
Since 2022, Warrington has received more than £22m in BSIP funding, which is being used to ensure the town’s new fleet of electric buses is matched by first class services. A range of ‘Better by Bus’ improvements have been made, including £2 and £1 fare caps; free concessionary pass travel, 24/7; free travel for care leavers up to age 22; enhanced timetables; and new bus shelters across the network.
In the latest round of funding (2025/26), Warrington has been awarded £3.8m from the government, as part of a wider £148m investment to deliver better bus services across the North West.


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