Herefordshire Could Miss Out on £2 Bus Fare Cap
Two major bus operators in the English county have not yet committed to the government's proposed fare reduction, raising concerns among local officials and campaigners.
Herefordshire's two largest bus operators have yet to commit to the government's planned flat £2 bus fare, according to local council leaders. The fare cap is set to take effect in England in January 2027, reducing from the current £3.
Ledbury councillor Justine Peberdy stated that the scheme "will not benefit Herefordshire unless our operators choose to participate in it." She highlighted that Yeomans Travel and Sargeants Brothers, which together operate most of the county's bus services, did not participate in the previous £3 fare cap initiative and expressed concern they would not join the new scheme.
Bromyard-based DRM is reportedly planning to participate, but independent councillor Nick Mason warned it would be "horrendous" if other parts of the country benefited from the cap while Herefordshire fares remained higher.
Tammy Gerber from the campaign group Buses4Us estimated that the fare difference could amount to £1,200 annually for a commuter traveling five days a week. She urged Herefordshire's operators to engage with the scheme before January 2027, to avoid leaving young people disadvantaged.
Sergeants operates 24 routes in Herefordshire, primarily around Hereford and westward towards Wales. Yeomans Travel runs 31 routes, serving villages near Hereford, Leominster, and areas in the southwest of the county.
A spokesperson for Yeomans Travel indicated that a final decision on participation cannot be made until more details about the government's proposal are available, which they do not expect until late November. The support offered by the government will depend on data the company has yet to submit, and the details of the scheme are still evolving.
Sargeants has also been contacted for comment.