Capped single fares in England

1 January 2025

The price of a single bus fare will change in most areas from 1 January 2025 but there will be various capped fares in place depending on where you’re travelling which means you’ll still be able to get around for less.  

Travel in the Midlands, Bedfordshire and the South East
If you’re travelling in the Midlands, Bedfordshire, Herts and Essex or Kent and Medway, with the Government capped fare you’ll still be able to get around for no more than £3 per journey, plus there will be many single fares which will cost less than this. Make sure you tell your driver where you're travelling as you board to get the best value ticket for you. 

For more information visit https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/fares2025midsouth 

Travel in the North West
If you’re travelling in the North West, in the Liverpool City Region and cross-boundary services into Greater Manchester or Warrington the single ticket price cap will remain at £2. 

The Liverpool City Region young persons single journey will be £1.40.

For cross boundary services into Lancashire, Cheshire West and services to Wales running from Cheshire West and Chester and Oswestry single bus fares are changing but you’ll still be able to get around for no more than £3 per journey with the government capped single fare, plus there will be many single fares which will cost less than this. Simply tell your driver where you're travelling as you board to get the best value ticket for you.

For more information visit https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/fares2025nw 

Travel in Yorkshire
If you’re travelling around Yorkshire, in West Yorkshire the single ticket price cap will remain at £2. 
In North Yorkshire you’ll be able to get around for no more than £3 per journey with the government capped single fare, plus there will be many single fares which will cost less than this. Simply tell your driver where you're travelling as you board to get the best value ticket for you. 

For more information visit https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/fares2025yk 

Travel in the North East
If your journey is fully within Northumberland, Tyne & Wear or County Durham (NECA area) then your maximum single journey fare will be £2.50. if your journey is anywhere else in the region, including cross boundary journeys between Tees Valley and County Durham, then your maximum single journey fare will be £3.

Existing U22 £1 single fare schemes and £3 day tickets will continue to be available and offer great value travel for young people. 

For more information visit https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/fares2025ne 
 

Which routes are not included in the capped fare?

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For the full list of exclusions please click here https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/capfareex25 
 

How can I purchase a capped fare?

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To get the best value ticket we recommend you buy your single ticket when you board and tell your driver where you're travelling as you may be able to travel with us for less than the price of the capped fare. You can pay with cash or your contactless card or device on board any of our buses.
 

Can I still purchase a capped single ticket on the app?

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Yes. However, to get the best value ticket we recommend you buy your single ticket when you board and tell your driver where you're travelling as you may be able to travel with us for less than the price of the capped fare. You can pay with cash or your contactless card or device on board any of our buses.
 

How long are tickets purchased on the app valid for?

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Mobile tickets are only valid for 1 hour once activated. Please activate your ticket as close to your journey as possible.
 

When does the capped bus fare end?

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The £3 Government capped bus fare will end on 31 December 2025.
The Liverpool City Region £2 capped bus fare will be available until at least September 2025
The West Yorkshire £2 capped bus fare will available until at least March 2025.
The Northumberland and Tyne and Wear £2.50 capped bus fare will end on 31 December 2025.