New fare cap introduced on Pulhams Coaches bus services

Pulhams Coaches has confirmed it will participate in the government's £2 fare cap scheme.

The scheme is designed to help boost the number of people using bus services and was first introduced in January.

Pulhams Coaches introduced the fare on its 51 service between Moreton and Stratford, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council, but could not make the subsidies offered viable for its other services at the time.

Following the recent acquisition of Pulhams Coaches by the Go-Ahead Group, Pulhams re-visited the scheme and secured an improved level of reimbursement from the government that is expected to cover the level of predicted revenue shortfall caused by the discounted fares.

Luke Marion, managing director of Pulhams Coaches, said: “We’re pleased to now be able to extend the £2 fare cap to all bus services in our network, which is tremendous news for passengers, especially at this difficult time with the cost of living.

“When the fare cap scheme was first introduced the level of reimbursement offered by the government to cover the reduction fares was not sufficient to cover the expected shortfall in revenue for the company to offer the £2 fares across the board.

“Thankfully we have now managed to re-negotiate and achieve an improved level of reimbursement with the government which is more likely to cover the shortfall in revenue. On this basis all our bus services will take part in the £2 fare cap scheme from Saturday and I hope it encourages more people to give bus a try.”

The new fare comes into place on Saturday, July 1 (Image: Pulhams Coaches)

READ MORE: Pulhams joins Go-Ahead’s Oxford Bus Company division

Pulhams Coaches provides bus services on multiple key routes across the Cotswolds, serving the likes of Moreton, Bourton, Stow, Chipping Norton, Chipping Campden and Broadway.

The £2 fare cap, which applies to single adult journeys, will come into place on July 1, continuing until October 31.

Mark Harper, Transport Secretary said: “Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport, and millions of people rely on these vital services every day.

“That’s why we are investing half a billion pounds to help people save money amid cost-of-living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.”

Pulhams Coaches serve towns and villages across the Cotswolds (Image: Pulhams Coaches)