England Applies Cheap Bus Tariffs: Just Pay 2 Pounds, Help Reduce Emissions

Illustration of transportation in London, England. (Wikimedia Commons/Occitandu34)

JAKARTA - British authorities have imposed bus rates in many areas of no more than 2 pounds, or around IDR 36,973, to support emission reductions.

This government-backed scheme aims to encourage people to choose public transportation rather than private vehicles.

Passengers can pay a third of the price of regular tickets and most of the major operators have signed up for this scheme.

This initiative is expected to curb emissions, reducing up to two million private vehicle travel, as reported by Euronews on January 5.

The UK bus rate of 2 pounds took effect earlier this month, limiting single ticket prices to most state services.

Dubbed 'Going Around Prices ofTEN', the campaign hopes to encourage people to use more public transportation by making it cheaper.

The average national rate is 2.80 pounds, so travelers can save about 30 percent for most routes or up to 87 percent for some rural services.

More than 130 bus operators participated in this initiative, including National Express and Stagecoach.

Traveling for 2 on buses helps customers face rising cost challenges and tries new travel options, Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Passenger Transportation Confederation representing the bus operator, told The Guardian.

The 2-pound tariff limit was first introduced in fall last year at Greater Manchester, Liverpool and West Yorkshire. While the single ticket for buses in London costs 1.65.

It is known, the program which will last until the end of March is funded by government grants of 60 million pounds or equivalent to Rp. 1,109,218,381,800

The Department of Transport praised the scheme, as a way to help the industry recover after the pandemic. In addition, it is also expected to help reduce emissions across the country.

"This scheme will also reduce 2 million car trips off highways and it's amazing to see so many bus operators register," said lawmaker Richard

Although the scheme was praised by green activists, the program is still lagging behind several steps from some of Europe's more ambitious countries.

In Spain, the government introduced free train travel on most short and medium-sized trips last year. This scheme has just been extended to intercity bus services as well.

Prime Minister Pedro S laychez said the scheme played an important role in helping people out during the cost of living crisis.

Meanwhile, Germany has launched a national public transport ticket for 49 euros per month.

Germany had previously introduced a 9 euro public transport ticket last summer. During the three-month offer period, 52 million tickets were purchased.

The German Transportation Company Association estimates that around 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 will be reduced during the scheme, equivalent to the planting of 90 million trees.