As part of our discussions with the Department for Transport, we need your views on two matters – the Summer Bus Fare Offer and the National Bus Fare Cap. Both schemes are for operators in England.
Summer Offer
ALBUM has continued to attend meetings and have considerable correspondence with the Department for Transport (DfT) to discuss the Summer Bus Fare Offer for 5-15 year olds.
ALBUM is working closely with CPT and has co-signed a CPT letter to the Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, outlining the industry’s concerns.
A key request is to restrict the Scheme to accompanied children only to address safeguarding and ASB concerns while also addressing the cost of living narrative that was the initial justification for the scheme.
Timescales are tight and it is understood that the last deadline for submission of data is 19 June 2026 and that initial allocations will be advised between 3-10 July 2026 depending on data submission date. If you have received a request for data, please ensure you submit it.
In order to assist our Polocy Advisor in his discssusions with the DfT it would be helpful to know how many (English) ALBUM members expect to participate in the Summer Bus Fare Offer. Please advise in confidence to [email protected] by Friday 19 June 2026.
England National Bus Fare Cap
Following a meeting of the ALBUM Fare Cap Working Group, we have updated our draft policy, which has now been circulated to the Managing Director’s Group.
If you have not received a copy, please contact the ALBUM Administrator – [email protected]
Please provide any final comments/expressions of support (or otherwise) by Friday 19 June 2026 by email to [email protected].
In order to assist ALBUM’s discussions on this issue with DfT, it would be helpful to know how many (English) ALBUM members:
- participated in the £2 cap?
- withdrew early from the £2 cap?
- participate in the £3 cap?
- have withdrawn early from the £3 cap?
Please respond in confidence to [email protected] by Friday 19 June 2026.