Liberal Democrat councillors at Bath & North East Somerset Council have said the planned increase in the bus fare cap will significantly hit the least well-off, especially in rural communities.
Councillors highlighted the impact on residents who are already struggling with the cost of living and called for the cap on bus fares to be maintained at £2 rather than £3.
An average commuter who takes the bus every working day of the week could face spending hundreds of pounds more each year.
The planned hike comes at a time when cuts in bus routes and gaps in service already affect many residents across Bath and North East Somerset.
Rural communities are especially at risk of becoming further isolated without access to affordable and reliable bus services.
Councillor Fiona Gourley, Liberal Democrat councillor for Bathavon South ward and member advocate for rural communities, brought a motion opposing the removal of the price cap to the B&NES Full Council meeting on 21st November.
The motion was adopted by 37 votes in favour, to 7 against and 2 abstentions.
Councillor Gourley commented: “With the reduction of government subsidy, the increase to £3 will affect poorer residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
“An increase in fares will make bus travel more expensive and push more people into driving cars, even those who don’t want to.
“Affordable buses are an essential service, and we all share the need to reduce car journeys, for health, environmental and economic reasons.
“Putting up the cost of buses by 50% will increase congestion and pollution throughout B&NES.
“The Labour government is sending the wrong message when it asks people to use buses for the sake of the environment, while making buses more expensive and keeping petrol prices at their current level.
“They are letting down our rural communities and leaving them isolated.”
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said: “Many in Bath rely on our bus network to get from A to B.
“Scrapping the £2 bus cap is the last thing people in our community need, especially as many are already struggling with the cost of living.
“I’m proud of B&NES Council for recognising how important affordable bus services are for enabling residents to get around and for joining me in pushing to restore the bus cap.
“Not only would extending the cap encourage greater uptake of public transport and ease the congestion on our roads, but it would support our city’s fantastic efforts to decarbonise travel and reduce pollution.”
