Stagecoach raises bus fares across Kent

KentOnline / KMTV

Stagecoach have explained that the increase fare revenue is necessary for covering the daily costs of running local bus services across Kent.  Our reporter Meghan Shaw has more.

Transcript

00:00As the rising cost of living continues to affect all elements of daily life across Kent,

00:06the last thing we need is a more expensive bus ticket into town. Stagecoach, the UK's largest

00:13bus operator and a major transport provider across East Kent, increased the price of their

00:18bus fares last Sunday. Now, a short journey will cost £1.90, up from £1.80. A medium-length

00:25journey will cost £2.70 from £2.60, and longer-length journeys will stay the same at £3,

00:32as per the new £3 bus cap that came into force early this year. The increases, though marginal,

00:38are the second price shake-ups from Stagecoach this year, following changes that coincided with

00:44the government's decision to up the maximum spend for one journey on a bus from £2 to £3.

00:49In January 2025, a local deer rider went from £5.70 to £6.00. Now, a local deer rider has increased

00:59again to £6.30. Buses form a vital part of local infrastructure, particularly important for young

01:06people, the elderly and families. Even a small increase in prices over time will compound.

01:13If me and my kids want to come into town, it's the same as getting a taxi each way. I will walk

01:19into town most times, purely because it's just seems unnecessary, the amount of money that we have

01:25to spend on the buses now. It's a good idea because they do provide a good service. They always turn

01:31up on time. They come from Canterbury, Ashford, Sydney, or wherever. They're on time, not like this

01:35lot behind you. Stagecoach, on their website, explain they understand frustration, but such an increase

01:42in fares is necessary to cover the daily costs of running bus services, such as higher fuel prices

01:49and investing in customer service. Stagecoach has been unable to give a more comprehensive comment

01:55at this time. But some people feel a more detailed explanation from bus companies might make them

02:01more sympathetic to rising fare prices. People can't object. It's just false, don't they?

02:10If we were to know why they're putting the bus fares up because they need this out of the

02:14other, then maybe we'd be more understanding. But I think sometimes we just kind of see the

02:18price increases and we never kind of know why. We just go, oh yeah, you're going to pay more.

02:23That's it. 10 pence for most people might not make a difference, but 10 pence a day can quickly

02:30become an extra £1.40 a week and £5.60 a month. For those on the poverty line, having already

02:37needed to accommodate additional changes earlier this year, this money adds up. This is Megan

02:43Shaw for KMTV in Maidstone.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended