Jeremy Corbyn has slammed Labour for scrapping the £2 bus fare cap, a measure brought in by the previous Conservative government to help with the cost of living.
The cap is being raised to £3 – a rise of 50 per cent – meaning it will cost bus commuters working five days a week £10 extra per week and £480 extra per year.
The former Labour leader, now an independent MP, said: “Scrapping the £2 bus fare cap is a disgraceful decision that will harm the poorest in society and discourage public transport at a time when it is needed more than ever.
“Why is the Government punishing people for trying to get to work?”
The decision has been criticised across the political divide for its disproportionate effect on the poorest in society.
Zarah Sultana, Labour MP for Coventry South, said: “Abolishing the £2 bus fare cap is a political choice disproportionately hitting the poor.
“With rising costs and stagnant wages, it’s a step backwards – especially when more accessible transport is needed.
“The Government must reverse this and introduce wealth taxes to fund services.”
Defending the decision, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This very much falls into the category of choices we are having to make, and would rather not be forced to make.
“When you’ve got a budget challenge as big as we’ve got, a deficit as big as we’ve inherited, we are having to make some hard choices now so we’re not paying a higher price for failure later.”
Dame Andrea Leadsom, a former Conservative Treasury minister, said: “So a 50 percent increase in bus fares then Keir?
“A £10 per week increase for working people. Oh yes, and for their older kids going to school.
“Oh, and don’t forget it will make bus routes unprofitable because people stop using them. Well done! Don’t understand the economy do you?”
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Sir Keir Starmer said: “I do know how much this matters, particularly in rural communities where there is heavy reliance on buses.”
David Fishwick, founder of Bank of Dave and bus builder, said: “I don’t agree with scrapping £2 cap on bus fares.
“Let’s not punish people further for simply getting to work. I personally really understand buses, I build them! And I can tell you, lots of people rely on them every day.”
Roughly 3.4 million people in England use buses.
