Stagecoach Confirms New Fares for Passengers in the East of Scotland

21st April 2022
  • Changes reflect rising costs of running bus services
  • New ticket prices will add less than 5% onto the cost of bus travel
  • Ticket costs pay for the day to day running and investment in our services

Stagecoach East Scotland has confirmed changes to bus fares from Sunday 8th May 2022.

The new ticket prices will add on average 4.8% onto the cost of bus travel.

These increases reflect the rising costs of running services. Since 2019, costs across the bus industry have risen by around 12%, mainly driven by fuel and staff wage increases. Fare increases being made are below the annual rate of inflation (RPI) of 9%*.

In 2021 Stagecoach East Scotland simplified its fares and tickets to make them more consistent and easier to understand. The new ticket options meant that many single fares reduced in price and it created new multi- journey zones and tickets offering more flexible travel options such as a new Flexi 5 ticket, offering a saving of 20%. On average, most ticket types were reduced in price, with the regional East Scotland DayRider ticket being reduced in price from £14 down to £9 at that time.

Almost all the money received in fares goes towards paying for the day-to-day running of services as well as investing in improvements. The amount of money bus operators receive in fares to keep services running remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.

Last year, the operator announced that it was introducing a further 46 new fully electric buses representing an investment of £21.4m across Scotland as part of its drive to improve air quality and support the Scottish Government’s environmental targets.

Douglas Robertson, Managing Director for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “Stagecoach has consistently delivered some of the lowest ticket prices in the country and we are committed to continuing to keep fares as low as possible for our passengers.

“Like many sectors of the economy, bus operators are seeing significant cost inflation, primarily driven by increased fuel and staffing costs. At the same time, the money bus operators receive in fares to keep services running remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.

“As well as paying for the day to day running of the country’s vital bus networks, ticket costs help us to continue investing in improvements for our passengers, and pay for bus workers who have worked hard to keep communities connected and services running during the pandemic.”

The fare change taking place on 8th May affects the majority of tickets across Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire, representing an average of 4.8% increase on single and multi-journey tickets. However, nightrider tickets, valid for unlimited travel after 7pm, are frozen at £3.

All under 19 tickets and weekly child MegaRider tickets will also be withdrawn from this date due to customers aged between 5-21 and residents in Scotland, being eligible for free travel. More details on how to apply for free travel can be found at www.getyournec.scot.

Stagecoach is making significant investment in improvements for customers, and investing in new greener vehicles as part of its sustainability strategy. Key improvements include:

  • Launch of a new dedicated customer contact centre providing customers with an easily accessible one-stop contact point for getting help with any queries about their bus service.
  • As part of the customer transformation strategy, Stagecoach is making major investment in a new customer relationship management system to help provide tailored support, better understand customers’ end-to-end journeys, and quickly address any emerging common issues.
  • Investment in greener vehicles, including electric buses, as part of an overall target for a zero emissions UK bus fleet by 2035.
  • Investment in new technology to help provide improved timetables and more reliable services.

For more information about ticketing and fares, visit www.stagecoachbus.com.

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