BASINGSTOKE bus fares will stay capped until the end of 2024, with Basingstoke MP welcoming the extension.

The £2 bus fare scheme has been extended to the end of December 2024, with many bus providers in Basingstoke, such as Stagecoach, taking part.

Basingstoke MP, Maria Miller has welcomed the extension of the scheme.

Dame Maria said: “I welcome the Government’s further investment to extend the scheme and to protect vital bus services people rely on for work, education, medical appointments, and shopping.

READ MORE: We had breakfast at the Spoons that is considered one of the best in the UK

"This will help residents with increased cost of living and will particularly benefit those on lower incomes who take nearly three times as many bus trips as those on higher incomes. The scheme will also help reduce emissions and congestion by taking an estimated two million cars off the roads.”

She continued: "I want to encourage the borough council to make one-year free bus travel a non-negotiable and locally set requirement for developers to help mitigate the impact of any new housing development. This will not only help residents financially but will also play a part in helping our borough to reach net zero.”

SEE ALSO: Festival Place placed in receivership, but 'it's business as usual' says director

The scheme was introduced amidst the cost-of-living crisis in England to reduce fares, with the overall price of bus fares, outside London, dropping by 7.4 per cent between June 2022 and June 2023.

The extension of the scheme comes after the Conservative Party Conference on Wednesday, October 4, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to keep the fare capped for another year.

During his speech, Mr Sunak said he would "keep the £2 bus fare across the whole country".