Just the ticket: get around for £2 or less on most West Sussex bus routes in New Year - UPDATE: Now until 31 October 2023

A new scheme is giving people the opportunity this winter to pay less to travel by bus in West Sussex – and the whole of England.

From now until 30 October 2023, a single bus journey will cost no more than £2 on most routes under the Department for Transport's Help for Households funded Bus Fare Cap.

Buses Minister Richard Holden said: “Bus travel remains the most popular form of public transport in England, making up around half of all journeys. That’s why we’re investing £60million to cap single bus fares at £2 to support every passenger and help get people back on the bus. 

“With the scheme set to take two million car journeys off the road, it’s fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up to the fare cap, helping people to ‘Get Around for £2’ between the 1st January and 31st March [not: this has been extended to 31 October 2023].” 

There has been a gradual return to the buses in West Sussex since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Bus companies have been working hard to encourage people to get back on board and have made many improvements: passengers will find better ventilated vehicles since before the pandemic, with more advanced cleaning regimes used by the bus operators. Many of their vehicles have free Wi-Fi and all have contactless payment now.

Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “The £2 fare cap is a great opportunity for people to get on board buses for less: they can save money on petrol costs while keeping in touch with friends and family, travelling to appointments or work, or exploring our beautiful towns and countryside.

“Buses provide a more sustainable way to travel and are a vital link for residents to access key services including healthcare, education, shops and leisure facilities, and can help combat social isolation, too.”

For more information, here are weblinks to the main participating bus operators in West Sussex:

Brighton & Hove - https://www.buses.co.uk/2-fare

Compass Travel - https://www.compass-travel.co.uk/2pound-fares/

Metrobus - https://www.metrobus.co.uk/2-fare

Southdown Buses - https://www.southdown.net/2-pound-cap

Stagecoach - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/2-pound-fare

The full list of participating bus companies is available on the Gov.UK website:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap

NB: there are no changes to the national bus pass scheme for older and disabled people. Free bus pass holders will continue to receive free travel under the terms of that scheme