The £2 cap on bus fares in Kent will be hiked up to £2.50 in November.

One-way bus journey discounts will expire at the end of October as the Government promises lower fares, improved reliability, and better bus services.

The £2 single-fare will increase to £2.50 at the end of October and remain at that rate until the end of November 2025.

It comes as Roads Minister Richard Holden confirmed today that Kent County Council and other local authorities will receive their second allocation of funding for the Bus Service Improvement Plan+ for 2024-25.

He says the £17.5m injection across the South East will help introduce lower fares, improve bus reliability and punctuality, and protect services.

“Buses are the most popular form of public transport, and so many residents in the South East rely on their local service to get to work, attend medical appointments, and see loved ones,” said Mr Holden.

“We are delivering for local communities across fifteen local authorities by providing a further £17.2 million to improve and protect essential local services, as we continue to boost transport connections in the South East to grow the economy.”

To help people with the cost of living pressures and save on everyday travel costs, the government has also invested £200 million to extend the bus fare cap, with single bus tickets capped at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024.

The £2 fare cap has cut travel costs particularly in rural areas, where buses are crucial for so many people to get around, with the average fare dropping by 10.8% in rural and non-metropolitan parts of England.