A bus company which runs one of the country's busiest networks has sold more tickets than the population of England.

Sales of the capped £2 fare have surpassed the 60 million mark at Go-Ahead Group, which runs Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus.

This means a ticket has been sold for every man, woman and child in the country since the nationwide bus fare cap was introduced at the start of 2023.

The Argus: The £2 deal has proved successful in SussexThe £2 deal has proved successful in Sussex (Image: Go Ahead)

The biggest seller of discount tickets in Go-Ahead’s network is Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus, which has carried more than 15 million passengers on the £2 fare.

Martin Dean, Go-Ahead’s managing director for the regional bus division, said: "It shows that the bus fare cap has encouraged our regular customers to get out and about more frequently and it’s attracted new passengers onto our buses.

“Longer bus services between towns and villages are proving particularly popular at £2.

"The success of this scheme is a reminder of just how important buses are in connecting communities and helping people to access vital local services.”

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The route 270 and 273, between Crawley and East Grinstead to Brighton, has seen a 30 per cent increase in passengers since the start of 2023.

Elsewhere in the country, Go Ahead's routes have had up to a 43 per cent increase in passengers.

Roads Minister Guy Opperman said: “The number of people who are saving money through our get around for £2 fare cap is continuing to grow and grow - with fares in England, outside of London, falling by over six per cent and by nearly 11 per cent in rural areas.

“It is clear getting around for £2 has got people back on our buses, better connecting our communities, supporting the economy across the country and giving people the freedom to travel and save some cash while they do.”