MP Bob Seely has received confirmation from the government that Islanders will continue to benefit from the ‘Get Around for £2’ bus fare scheme until the end of 2024.
Southern Vectis is already signed up to the scheme until the end of December 2023, but in order to extend the scheme, they need their application to be accepted by the Department for Transport.
Last month, Mr Seely wrote to former Transport Minister, Richard Holden, in support of Southern Vectis’s application and to seek clarification about how long the scheme will last for. Earlier this week, Mr Seely received confirmation from Mr Holden that the scheme will continue until December 2024 and that government officials will work with Southern Vectis to ensure the bus operator is able to participate.
Mr Seely said: “The £2 max fare scheme is a brilliant idea from this Conservative Government, it’s helping people to get around and pushing down the cost of living.
"Several thousands more Islanders are using the bus – and that includes me, I’ve been on it twice in the last fortnight.
"The cheap fares enable more Islanders to use the bus to get to work, attend appointments, and visit friends and family – and they will run next year too.”
