£2 Bus Cap Uncertain

Herefordshire's two largest bus operators, Yeomans Travel and Sargeants Brothers, have not yet committed to the government's £2 bus fare cap, raising concerns that the county will not benefit from the scheme. The £2 bus fare cap in England is set to start in January 2027.

Yeomans Travel operates 31 routes in Herefordshire, including many serving villages around Hereford, to Leominster and the north and southwest of the county. Sargeants Brothers operates 24 routes in Herefordshire, chiefly in and around Hereford and westwards towards and into Wales.

In contrast, Bromyard-based DRM has confirmed plans to participate in the £2 fare cap scheme. Yeomans Travel is waiting for more information before deciding on participation in the £2 fare cap scheme and does not expect to receive the government's proposal until late November.

The difference between capped and uncapped fares could have significant implications for commuters in the county, with the potential difference running to £1,200 a year for someone commuting five days a week.

## Why it matters The bus fare cap scheme is intended to make public transport more affordable for people in England. However, if Herefordshire's largest operators do not participate, commuters in the county may not benefit from the scheme. This could have significant consequences for individuals and the local economy, particularly for young people and those who rely on public transport.

## What happens next The government's £2 bus fare cap is set to start in January 2027. Yeomans Travel and Sargeants Brothers will need to decide whether to participate in the scheme before then. If they do not, commuters in Herefordshire may be left paying higher fares than those in other parts of the country.