Keir Starmer's announcement of a £3 cap on bus fares, up from the current £2, represents a 50% increase that will hit working-class people the hardest and, alongside other cuts, risk pushing thousands further into poverty. Private bus companies like First Bus prioritize profit over service, remaining accountable only to shareholders. This focus on profit has led to axed routes, unreliable services, and now higher fares, despite buses being a crucial part of working-class life. We need an affordable, reliable public service that prioritises passengers and staff — not corporate profits.

However, local councils have the power to control their own bus services, including setting fares, routes and timetables.

We, the undersigned, demand that Bristol City Council:

• Refuse to implement the 50% fare rise
• Stop the route cuts
• Bring Bristol buses into public ownership - public transport should be run as a service, not to make profit!