Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham, Sarah Gibson, is calling on the Labour Government to protect the bus fare cap, which she believes is crucial for Wiltshire residents.
The government recently increased the cap from £2 to £3, a move the Liberal Democrats dubbed "effectively a bus tax". Now, there's concern that Transport Minister Heidi Alexander may scrap the universal bus cap on single tickets in favor of a targeted scheme.
Sarah Gibson warns that abolishing the cap would have catastrophic consequences for Wiltshire, where many rely on buses for daily commutes, including trips to the Royal United Hospital and Great Western Hospital.
“The bus fare cap and proper routes matter to people here in Wiltshire. With my constituents having to stretch their hard-earned cash further and further, this Government’s decision to hike the bus fare cap will hurt the most vulnerable people who rely on buses in their daily lives.
“Realistically, it can take people in many parts of my constituency well over an hour to get to the Royal United Hospital or Great Western Hospital for their appointments or to see loved ones.
"To now do away with the cap altogether would add insult to injury. That is why I am I am inviting Minister for Transport Heidi Alexander to come to Wiltshire and see first-hand how vital bus services are to my constituents.
“The Government needs to change course and boost struggling local economies by investing in bus routes that have been pushed to the brink."
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