Malvern’s MP has urged people to use the bus after a scheme offering discounted fares was extended.

The Government has extended the £2 bus fare cap for a second time to ensure bus travel remains “accessible and affordable for everyone”.

The cap will remain for bus services outside London until October 31, after which it will increase to £2.50 until November 30, 2024 before fares are reviewed.

It is hoped the £500 million scheme will allow millions of passengers across England to ‘Get Around for £2’ and help bus companies plan for long-term stability.

Harriett Baldwin, the MP for West Worcestershire, said she has been working closely with Worcestershire County Council as it develops an on-demand bus scheme to operate across the county.

Last year, she hosted a summit to discuss local bus service provision getting feedback from local councillors and travel experts.

“I welcome the significant extra investment made available to bus companies to subsidise fares and hope that local people will make the choice to use the bus more where they can,” said Mrs Baldwin.

“I am strongly supportive of the county council initiative to investigate on-demand bus service provision using mobile phone technology to increase availability.

“I have always said that bus services rely on the principle of ‘use it or lose it’ and we’ve seen services decline in recent years with a combination of the pandemic and reduced local route subsidies.

“I am asking to meet the local bus company to request they use the money to reinstate services  including the route to Malvern’s Upper Howsell Road area.

“This significant cash boost by the Government is a clear signal to the bus companies that they should do much more to promote services and encourage more local people to use their services where possible.”

Transport secretary Mark Harper said: “Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day.

“That’s why we’re investing half a billion pounds to help people save money amid cost-of-living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.”