The ‘Hop Around for £2’ scheme launched by Stagecoach has been extended until June. 

Thanks to £75 million of extra Government investment, the fare cap means passengers can save on single bus tickets, helping them travel more affordably to education, work and medical appointments.

Extended from April 1, the offer will apply to more than 5,000 routes in England from over 140 operators, as the Government continues to help households through this difficult economic period, while levelling up transport and growing the economy.

With the average single local bus ticket costing £2.80, passengers can save almost a third of the ticket price and over 75% on some of the longest trips. 

The scheme, which began in January this year, has already seen an uptick in passenger numbers. This extension will continue to encourage greater bus use and is expected to take up to four million cars off the road, supporting ambitions for greener journeys by minimising pollution and tackling congestion across the country.  

A key part of the Government’s Help for Households campaign, the fare cap is helping to deliver real savings for people most affected by the rising cost of living. 

Bus users will pay £2 for a single journey on the Route 57 from Brixington, Exmouth, Lympstone, Topsham, Exeter City Centre and the Route 9 Honiton (9) or  Seaton (9A) via Sidford, Sidmouth and Exeter City Centre between January, Febuary and March.

This is part of the Department for Transport’s new fares initiative, through the Government’s Help for Households campaign to get more people travelling by bus again after covid.

A recent report by Stagecoach found that motorists replacing some journeys by bus and active travel could save consumers up to £6,000 a year. In addition, the report found that having the right measures in place to encourage people to make the switch, including cheaper fares, could help remove one billion miles of car journeys each week and cut CO2 by nearly 400,000 tonnes per week. 

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “Bus travel should be accessible and affordable for everyone. We know that people are struggling with rising costs, which is why we’re extending the £2 bus fare cap and continuing to put money back into passengers’ pockets.

“This will help to ensure people can get around easily, no matter where they live – connecting them with work, education, doctors’ appointments as well as friends and families – in turn strengthening communities and growing local economies.”