Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh urges govt to protect the bus fare cap and invest in local bus services

Lib Dem MP Liz Jarvis calls on the Labour Government to protect the bus fare cap. This comes after reports that the Transport Minister Heidi Alexander has refused to commit to the bus fare cap. 

The government hiked up the cap from £2 to £3 and the Liberal Democrats called the cap rise “effectively a bus tax”. 

However, commuters are facing another blow, following reports that Heidi Alexander has refused to confirm that the universal bus cap on single tickets won’t be scrapped - and will be to be replaced by a "targeted" scheme instead. Lib Dem MP Liz Jarvis is urging the government to protect the bus fare cap, arguing the impact on Eastleigh could be catastrophic. 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis said: 

“Bus routes are absolutely vital for so many communities across the country, allowing them to get to school, work, shops or the hospital. For years, the Conservatives neglected bus routes and oversaw hundreds of cuts to vital services. 

"This Government’s decision to hike the bus fare cap has already hurt the most vulnerable people who rely on buses in their daily lives and are struggling to meet living costs. To now do away with the cap altogether would add insult to injury.

“The Government needs to change course and boost struggling local economies by investing in bus routes that have been pushed to the brink."