The Campaign for Real Ale has also written to the Government, asking them to make the £2 cap permanent.
The Campaign for Real Ale is encouraging beer and pub lovers to take advantage of capped bus fares to support pubs and social clubs in England through the quieter New Year period.
The scheme, announced last year, uses Government funding to help bus operators cap single journeys in England at £2.
With the cost-of-living crisis causing everyone to consider the affordability of leisure activities, schemes that help reduce the cost of travel, and provide a way to visit pubs and brewers through more sustainable modes of transport, should be welcomed.
CAMRA Chairman, Nik Antona said:
“The early months of the year are notoriously hard for the licensed trade. This year, pubs, social clubs, brewers and cider makers are also having to contend with a cost-of-business crisis. While early indications are that Christmas trade was returning to pre-pandemic levels, our beloved locals are still in a precarious situation, with a significant rollback in energy support from April.”
“Schemes like this, which help people get to the pub in a more affordable and environmentally friendly way should be applauded, and we encourage everyone to take advantage to support local pubs, social clubs, brewers and cider makers through what will be a tough winter season.”
CAMRA are also asking the Buses Minister, Richard Holden MP, to make the scheme permanent.
In a letter to the Minister, the Campaign’s Chairman, Nik Antona, said:
“A thriving public transport network goes hand in hand with a thriving hospitality sector. It is important that people can get to pubs and social clubs using accessible and sustainable methods of transport. Therefore, we would like you to introduce a permanent funding for a fare capping scheme in the Spring Budget.”
Ends
Notes:
The single fare price cap will operate from January to March 2023.
A list of participating bus companies and routes by English region is here: £2 bus fare cap - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The full letter to Richard Holden MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport, reads:
Richard Holden MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Road and Transport)
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
Horseferry Road
SW1P 4DR
By email
10 January 2023
Dear Mr Holden,
RE: Permanently capping bus fares to encourage affordable, accessible, and sustainable travel to pubs and social clubs
Firstly, I want to congratulate you on your appointment to the Government, and on behalf of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
We know you that have been a supporter of the beer and pub sector in Parliament, understanding the vital role that pubs and social clubs play in our communities, and being an early champion of the new draught duty rate for beer and cider.
As you will know, the early months of the year are notoriously hard for the licensed trade.
This year, pubs, social clubs, brewers, and cider makers are also having to contend with a cost-of-business crisis. While early indications are that Christmas trade was returning to pre-pandemic levels, our beloved locals are still in a precarious situation, and it is vital that the Government does what it can to help make pub going affordable, especially as energy bill support is being rolled back from April.
That’s why we want to thank you and the Secretary of State for introducing the £2 capped bus fare scheme in conjunction with bus operators across England.
Schemes like this, which help people get to the pub in a more affordable and environmentally friendly way should be applauded, and we are promoting the scheme and encouraging everyone to take advantage to support local pubs, social clubs, brewers, and cider makers through what will be a tough winter season.
A thriving public transport network goes hand in hand with a thriving hospitality sector. It is important that people can get to pubs and social clubs using accessible and sustainable methods of transport. Therefore, we would like you to introduce a permanent funding for a fare capping scheme in the Spring Budget, to encourage people to support pubs, social clubs, brewers and cider makers by choosing public transport.
As we know that you are a fan of both pubs and buses, we would also love to invite you on a pub trail by bus, hopefully taking advantage of the capped fare scheme – our Campaigns Team would be happy to arrange this for you if your office contacts them on campaigns@camra.org.uk.
I look forward to your response,
Yours sincerely,
Nik Antona
CAMRA National Chairman
