£2 bus fare cap ‘would slash Swansea commuting costs by a third’
Single bus fares in Swansea could be capped at £2 from 2027 under a new Welsh Labour pledge, in a move the party claims would cut commuting costs by around a third for many regular bus users.
The cap would apply across Wales from April 2027 if Welsh Labour leads the next Welsh Government, and would cover everyone aged 22 to 59. Under‑21s already benefit from a £1 cap on single fares, while over‑60s get free bus travel across Wales under existing schemes.
Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, who says he has long campaigned on cost‑of‑living issues, said the plan would make a “big difference” to people who rely on buses every day.
Swansea West MP Torsten Bell said:
“Bus travel is too expensive for too many people. Capping fares at £2 would make a big difference to thousands of Swansea residents who rely on buses every day. It builds on wider work to bring down bills and tackle the cost of living.”
100 new bus routes across Wales
Welsh Labour says it would also introduce more than 100 new bus routes across Wales between 2027 and 2030. The routes would prioritise links to jobs, hospitals, train stations and key services, but the public would also be asked to suggest where new services should run.
The party says the plans are made possible by the current Welsh Labour Government’s Bus Services Bill, which will bring buses back into public control and allow local communities more say over routes and timetables.
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said:
“We’re ending the fragmented bus system Wales has been stuck with for decades. Buses should be run for people, not profit. Cheaper fares and more routes will mean passengers get services that actually go where they need them to go — to jobs, hospitals, town centres and key services.”
Cost‑of‑living backdrop
The pledge comes after the UK Labour Government announced a package of measures at the Autumn Budget, including £150 off the average energy bill and more support for almost 70,000 children across Wales.
Torsten Bell said the £2 cap would sit alongside those measures as part of a wider push to reduce everyday costs.
Swansea angle: ‘Saving money on every journey’
Locally, Swansea already funds free bus travel at certain times of the year, particularly during holiday periods and key events, to encourage people into the city centre and support households with rising costs.
Council leader Rob Stewart, who is also standing as a Senedd candidate, said the proposed £2 cap would build on that approach and deliver year‑round savings.
Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said:
“A £2 cap would mean affordable, reliable and more frequent bus services for Swansea. We already fund free bus travel at certain times of the year, and a fixed low‑cost fare all year round would save residents money on every journey.”
He said the combination of cheaper fares and new routes could help more people access work, education and services without needing a car.
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