I know how important affordable bus transport is to help people get about to conduct their lives. At the moment, the bus market outside London is deregulated and decisions on the level of fares is therefore primarily a decision for commercial bus operators.

In England from September 2010 to September 2015 the average real terms fare rise was 1.5 per cent per year which compares favourably to the period September 2005 to September 2010 when the average real terms fare rise was 2.1 per cent per year. The Government also provides nearly £1 billion each year to fund concessionary travel, ensuring free bus travel for the elderly and the disabled.

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