Sir Ed Davey slams proposed 'bus tax' during Wantage visit

Sir Ed Davey was joined by Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover and spoke to businesses about the fare cap in the town.

The £2 cap on single fares that applies on most routes outside London will be replaced by a new £3 cap until the end of 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the Budget.

The Lib Dems have called on the government to reverse the move, saying it will hit both commuters and local businesses.

Mr Glover said: “We're very concerned about what we're calling the bus tax which is the Labour government's decision to increase the cap on bus fares from £2 to £3. 

READ MORE: Lib Dems win seat on Oxfordshire council from Labour

Olly Glover and Sir Ed Davey (Image: Newsquest) “We think that's the wrong thing to do at a time of very significant cost pressures for people. A lot of people on low incomes are reliant on buses just in the way they are reliant on cars.

"We think it undermines the government's objectives to reduce congestion and increase public transport. We're going to keep fighting really hard against it.

“I'm on the transport select committee and I have been asking a lot of tough questions to the secretary of state on this subject and I will keep doing that.”

Olly Glover and Sir Ed Davey in Wantage on Friday (Image: Newsquest) Sir Ed added: “Our key message is on the bus tax. We're worried about the impact it will have on family income during a cost of living crisis.

"Many of the people who use buses don't have cars and they are struggling already, so this is bad news for many families in Oxfordshire. 

“It's also bad for the economy. If people are going to take fewer bus journeys, and the evidence is that they will now, towns like Wantage won't have so many people coming here to use the shops, restaurants and cafes.

"It will mean people will struggle to get to work. 

“I think it's really worrying for local towns and high streets because people, who can afford to come to the town by bus, can come and have a cup of tea and contribute to the local economy. Shoving up the fares fare will only deter people from coming into the town.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The previous fare cap was due to expire at the end of 2024, with fares set to soar by as much as £13 on the most expensive routes, unless we intervened to keep fares down.

“Fares will only be allowed to increase with inflation in the normal way, and the £3 bus fare cap will lead to savings of up to 80 per cent on some routes, keeping bus tickets affordable across the country.”

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About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby 

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