Bus Fare Increase – Motion to Council

This matter came before Solihull Council yesterday evening where a motion objecting to the increase was supported by all but one councillor, with the LibDem and Green councillors supporting an amended motions which Cllr Ken Hawkins proposed.

The motion we agreed reads:

“Council notes the Labour Government’s decision to raise the single fare cap on bus journeys in England from £2 to £3 from January 1st, 2025. This represents an increase of 50%.

It will cost someone who commutes to and from work every day on the bus an extra £450 a year, roughly the equivalent of a 1% tax rise for the average person.

Council believes that such a large, above inflation hike on bus fares will make bus travel more expensive. This comes at a time when the Labour Government is hitting working people who are struggling with the cost of living and who are most likely to rely on bus services. It will also push more people into driving cars, increasing our carbon footprint.

The scheme was introduced by the previous Government to help revitalise the bus services outside of London which had taken a hit during the Covid-19 pandemic. Other measures included the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which pumped over £1 billion into bus services. The West Midlands Combined Authority benefitted from £88 million which was used to enhance bus services and upgrade existing fleets.

Added to the Labour Government’s choice to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance from pensioners and their failure to scrap the Two-Child Benefit Cap, the bus fare hike is the latest in a line of measures that will unfairly impact thousands of the poorest and more vulnerable people in Solihull.

Labour’s decision to end the cap on the cost of travel could put some elderly and disabled constituents at risk, especially those especially in rural areas who do not qualify for a free bus pass. A rise in the cost of travel could impact their chances to get a job, visit friends and family or get to key medical appointments.

Council resolves to request the Portfolio Holder for Environment & Infrastructure to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to demand that they scrap the bus fare increase. 

And furthermore, if the government does not reverse the decision, call upon the mayor of the West Midlands to develop a local scheme as other Mayoral Combined Authorities have, to maintain the capped fare at £2 to support the economy and people of the West Midlands.“

In proposing the motion Cllr Hawkins stressed the need to allow residents, also the West Midlands Mayor and government, recognise what had been done by the previous government and the Combined authority to support bus fares in the region. Cllr Hawkins also wished to give more focus on the needs of the most vulnerable people in the borough, as well as covering the scenario ‘what if the decision is not overturned by the government?’

The issue of bus fares is a serious issue and the need for the motion is important. We know that more people using public transport will unclog our roads and help improve air quality. We also know that as more people use public transport there will be more investment, meaning better buses and more routes, which are reliable.  Raising the fare cap could undermine this.

We know that some residents may be immune to the fare cap increase because they purchase monthly or seasonal tickets. However, there will be many residents who can not afford to pay such an amount up front or use the service less frequently for seasonal passes to be of benefit. Their only route to employment or colleges may be through the bus service – meaning no alternative but to pay the increase.

In summary Cllr Hawkins added

“Solihull needs a bus service that meets the needs of our residents – but is equally affordable for all residents. I will update residents where I hear back from the Department of Transport.”