Stagecoach has announced today that, following the unprecedented increase in diesel prices and other operating costs, it is putting up its fares on services throughout Oxfordshire. 

The increase, which takes effect on Sunday 27 July, will see most fares go up by an average of 6.5%. Most singles will rise by 10p to 20p. 

Stagecoach's Marketing Manager, Chris Child said: "It is a year since we increased single and return fares, with Megarider and season tickets not rising in over two years. With diesel pump prices increasing by more than 35% over the past year we are unable to absorb these extra costs indefinitely. Regrettably we now have to pass some of these costs on to our passengers".

Two new ways to save money are also being introduced.

We are introducing a new 12 journey ticket called 'Megarider 12', which replaces the Flexirider and responds to the increasing demand for flexibility in travel, giving people the benefit of a pass with the freedom to travel as often or little as they want, but without the time restrictions.

During the summer we will also be offering a 10% discount to people buying passes from our on-line shop (www.buymymegarider.com), compared to on bus, telephone or sales outlet prices. The aim is to encourage people to buy on-line to help reduce the time buses take to load passengers, thereby speeding up journey times.

Several of our passes will be renamed, and in some cases have slightly revised validities with respect to travel outside of Oxfordshire.

• BicesterRider will be renamed Bicester Megarider
  • Valid anywhere on route 27 and on route X5 between Oxford and Bicester
• CountryRider will be renamed Megarider Country
  • Valid on any Stagecoach in Oxfordshire service outside the Oxford and Banbury Megarider areas. Not valid on 50, 65, 66, 74, X88.
• Oxford Megarider Plus boundaries will move from Bladon Roundabout to Begbroke, and from Thrupp Turn to Kidlington Airport
• Goldrider will be renamed Megarider Gold
  • Valid on Stagecoach services in Oxfordshire plus routes 50, 64, 65, 66, 74, X88, 500 (includes Oxford Tube between Oxford and Lewknor).
  • Stagecoach West Megarider Gold will only be valid on services in the Oxford Megarider area plus route 64.
  • Southern Britain and UK Wide Megarider Gold tickets are available online. These are valid on all Stagecoach bus services in Oxfordshire, including the X5, plus on the Oxford Tube between Oxford and Lewknor.
• X5 Goldrider will be renamed X5 Megarider Gold
  • Valid as Megarider Gold plus X5 and services in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.
• Explorer will be renamed Dayrider Gold
  • Valid on Stagecoach services in Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, South Wales, Warwickshire, Wiltshire & Worcestershire (includes Oxford Tube between Oxford and Lewknor). Not valid on X5.
• X5 Explorer will be renamed X5 Dayrider Gold
  • Valid as Dayrider Gold plus X5.
• FlexiRider will be replaced by Megarider 12
  • 12 journeys within the Megarider (or Megarider Plus, Megarider Country, etc) area for less than the average price of 6 return tickets.
• Plus Pass prices will also increase

All 1 and 4 week passes will continue to be available on bus as present.

For more information about specific single/return fares please contact our customer services team on 01865 772250.