A LARGE Herefordshire bus operator has confirmed it will bring in the Government’s £2 fare cap from the start of next year, following criticism from county chiefs and campaigners.

There had been concern that Sargeants Brothers, along with Yeomans Travel, would opt out of the centrally subsidised travel scheme, announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July.

But Sargeants has now said it does intend to offer the cheaper fares from January.

Managing director Matt Evans said: “Sargeants, like many other small and medium-sized bus operators, have been carefully considering our position with regards to participating in the £2 fare cap scheme.

“We have decided to take part in the scheme, despite having no scheme details, as it is our hope that participating will ease the cost-of-living burden and stimulate bus patronage in Herefordshire.”

He added: “We too have experienced significant and constantly rising cost pressures over the past year, but as demonstrated by our continued investment, we remain committed to bringing affordable, high-quality bus travel to Herefordshire.”

Sargeants Brothers currently runs 45 vehicles across commercial routes and local authority services on behalf of Herefordshire Council and Transport for Wales.

It currently has 24 routes listed on the Herefordshire Council website, chiefly in and around Hereford and westwards towards and into Wales.

The firm says it has invested significantly since 2019, including more than £3m in vehicles as well as in a newly-refurbished depot near Hereford.

Having operated buses in the county since 1928, it will celebrate its centenary in two years’ time.

Hereford-based Yeomans, which operates a route to Fownhope, meanwhile has yet to commit to the £2 scheme, saying it is awaiting details of how the Government will support it.

Before Sargeants’ announcement, Ledbury councillor Justine Peberdy, who chairs a group looking into county bus improvements, said the scheme “will not benefit Herefordshire unless our operators choose to participate”.

In an update to Ledbury town councillors, she said: “I can’t understand any reasons why these bus operators are not taking part.”