THE leader of transport for Devon County Council is ‘disappointed’ at the 50 per cent rise in the bus fare cap.

The policy, funded by government, had capped single fares at £2, but prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed this will increase to £3.

Cllr Andrea Davis, cabinet member whose portfolio includes transport, said a smaller rise would have been ‘far more acceptable’ given the cost-of-living crisis and changes to winter fuel allowance.

She said: ‘Making a return journey £6 instead of £4 seems a big jump.’

She continued: ‘Time will tell, and we’ll see if there is a drop in passenger numbers but if there is, it tends to have a catastrophic effect on whether we can keep certain routes going.’

In the last financial year, the council spent £12 million subsidising buses to rural communities and provide services where commercial ones aren’t viable.

Cllr Davis said. ‘The one message I keep saying is ‘use it, or lose it’.’