Press release -
New Year cheer: £2 bus tickets for all our bus routes
Hundreds of thousands of people across the North East can now save money and “Get Around for £2”, thanks to £60 million Government funding to cap single bus fares until the end of March.
From today (1 January) until 31 March 2023, Go North East will cap single fares at £2 on all local bus journeys, helping families, commuters and other passengers save money on travel.
With the average single bus fare for a 3-mile journey costing around £2.80 outside London, passengers will save almost a third of the single ticket price, with even bigger savings in some rural areas where tickets can reach over £5.
The initiative encourages people to get back on the bus to help the industry continue its recovery from the pandemic. It will also reduce CO2 emissions and tackle congestion by taking an estimated two million cars off the road.
Some of the biggest savings on Go North East's longest routes across the region, thanks to the fare cap, include:
| Route | Journey | Miles | Normal Fare | Amount Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X10 | Newcastle to Middlesbrough | 47 | £8.00 | £6.00 (75%) |
| AD122 | Hexham to Haltwhistle | 31 | £6.70 | £4.70 (70%) |
| X21 | Newcastle to West Auckland | 31 | £4.20 | £2.20 (52%) |
| 78 | Sunderland to Consett | 28 | £4.20 | £2.20 (52%) |
| 10 | Newcastle to Hexham | 25 | £4.20 | £2.20 (52%) |
| X45 | Newcastle to Consett | 21 | £4.20 | £2.20 (52%) |
Nigel Featham, Managing Director of Go North East, said: “Many people are feeling the pinch this winter as household bills mount. This generous initiative will help to make travelling by bus, which already offers fantastic value for money, even more attractive.
“Under this special fare, you’ll be able to go further than ever for £2. We hope it will encourage people to try some new routes, have some adventures and to explore the freedom of travelling by bus.”
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: “By helping passengers outside London save almost a third off the average single bus ticket and taking two million cars off the road, the £2 bus fare cap is a fantastic way to start the new year.
“Buses are a key part of our vision for a clean, efficient and modern transport network that is affordable for everyone. That’s why we’re investing £60 million to encourage everyone to hop on the bus and ‘Get Around for £2’."
Full details of the 'Get Around for £2' scheme, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, can be found here.
