- Changes reflect rising costs of running bus services
- New ticket prices will add less than 5% to the cost of bus travel
- In 2021 Stagecoach West Scotland simplified its ticket choices and zones in response to customer feedback, recognising changing travel patterns
- Due to the success of Flexi 5, a new Flexi 10 ticket will be introduced offering further value and flexible travel solutions.
- Ticket costs pay for the day-to-day running of services and continued investment in services
Stagecoach West 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. Fares increases being made are below the annual rate of inflation (RPI) of 9%*.
In 2021 Stagecoach West Scotland simplified its fares and tickets to make them more consistent and easier to understand. The new ticket options meant that many single fares were reduced in price, and it created new multi- journey zones. In response to the change in home and office working, our Flexi range of tickets give more flexible travel options and value for money to suit different travel habits, the new Flexi range offers a saving of 20%.
On average, most ticket types were reduced in price, with the regional West Scotland DayRider ticket being reduced in price from £21 down to £12 at that time. Simplified fares also make it easier for our drivers to offer the best ticket for travel.
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 revenue bus operators receives from fares to keep services running remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels as people gradually return to public transport.
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.
Fiona Doherty, Managing Director for Stagecoach West 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 as the economy tries to recover.
“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 revenue 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 Ayrshire, Cumbernauld, Glasgow and Dumfries and Galloway representing an average of 4.8% increase on single and multi-journey tickets.
Customers under the age of 22 can benefit from free bus travel across Scotland, following the introduction of the Under 22 concession scheme by the Scottish Government. More details on how to apply for free travel can be found at www.getyournec.scot.
Stagecoach is making a 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 a 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.