The Transport Committee has launched an inquiry looking into the government’s role in public transport fares, pricing, and ticketing arrangements.
The new inquiry will explore what objectives government should pursue when intervening in pricing and ticketing, and whether the objectives of recent interventions have been clear and effective.
MPs will also examine how changes to pricing influence travel behaviour and they will consider how fare policy can support both passengers and financially sustainable transport networks.
The inquiry comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his second full day in office to announce that a £2 cap on bus fares in England will be reinstated from January and be in effect throughout 2027. The Government also recently announced plans to enable disabled people across England to travel by bus for free at any time of day.
Alongside this, there have been various recent interventions in rail fares in recent years, such as freezing regulated fares from March 2026 through to March 2027. The Scottish Government has permanently removed peak rail fares on ScotRail services.
The Transport Committee previously looked into bus fares and concessions for its inquiry on Buses Connecting Communities. In its report, published in August 2025, the Committee recommended that the Department for Transport, in partnership with local transport authorities, should develop “clear strategic priorities for what bus fares are aiming to achieve”.
Transport Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury said: “The Prime Minister has rightly said that good, affordable, transport links are essential, but what should be driving the government’s approach to pricing and ticketing?
“Our new inquiry will look at what government has been doing and what it could do better when intervening in public transport fares, pricing and ticketing arrangements.
“We will explore how ticket prices influence transport choices, how fare policy can support both passengers and financially sustainable transport networks, and how fare interventions can generate wider benefits for the public purse.
“Our inquiry comes as responsibility for local public transport becomes increasingly devolved and rail services are transitioning into Great British Railways.
“Against this backdrop, we will also consider who should have the power to set fares and I look forward to engaging with a range of groups and individuals with policy knowledge in this area as we progress this inquiry.”
This inquiry is accepting evidence and the committee welcomes responses from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. The deadline to submit evidence is 11:59am on 13 November 2026.
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