BUS journeys in the North of England should cost no more than £1.55, with a cap on the maximum you can spend.

This was the call of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, speaking at the Transport for the North conference on Monday.

He suggested a system of interlinking train and bus fares, with a maximum you can spend over a given day on transport.

TfN was set up in 2018 to support long-term infrastructure planning across the region and includes collaboration from all 19 councils and combined authorities.

He said: "Transport in the North of England isn't an inclusive offer.

"Catching different buses and trains, you can spend upwards of £30 or £40.

"Cost is making our transport system exclusive rather than inclusive.  It is way too expensive to travel around the North of England at the moment.

"A single bus journey anywhere in the North can cost upwards of £4, where it's capped at £1.50 in London.  How can that possibly be fair?

"Focus on people's real experience of the transport system.  Level us up by giving us the same bus fares.  That would be a real game changer for millions.

"We need an accessible, inclusive, affordable public transport system."