Bus passengers face fare increase on Easter Sunday

A bus company is set to increase some of its fares from Easter Sunday because of rising costs.

Stagecoach ticket prices in Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside are changing, with weekly fares going up by between £1.50 and £2.00. Single fares and ticket prices for passengers under 21 will remain the same.

North East Public Transport Users Group (NEPTUG) said it was disappointed and warned any increase might deter passengers from travelling.

Some passengers told the BBC they were likely to be "hugely" affected by the increase, but others said bus travel remained good value despite the rise.

David Parker, commercial director for Stagecoach North East, said revenue from fares was "vital" to pay for the day-to-day costs of running services, as well as investment in new vehicles and other improvements.

Mr Parker said: "Following an extensive review of our increasing costs, we've strived to minimise the impact this will have on customers, and we have kept any fares increases as low as possible."

From 20 April, a 7-day MegaRider ticket in Sunderland will cost £16, up from £14.50.

In Newcastle, the weekly pass will go up by £1.50, to £19.

Hartlepool will also see an increase of £1.50, to £16.50.

Teesside will see an increase of £2, to £17.50.

Fares for flexible and day-rider tickets will also increase.

Some passengers in Newcastle were not aware of the forthcoming changes.

Szilvia Bennet who normally gets a weekly pass to travel from Blakelaw to work in the city centre, said: "Of course it's going to affect me, like anything.

But she added: "It's still alright - £1.50 extra is fine."

One passenger, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't want them to go up and part of the reason is it's not clear to me why they should go up.

"That's going to affect me hugely."

Leanne Hall maintained bus travel was still good value, even with the increase.

"It doesn't bother me. I use the bus all the time, it's cheaper to get a weekly pass," she said.

"I come from the East End to the West End at least twice a day, so I'm using four buses that day. I save money."

Adam Priestley said he would not be affected by the changes as he usually gets single tickets, but acknowledged the price increase was "not great".

He added: "I guess you could walk, [you] don't have to take the bus."

NEPTUG chair Vicki Gilbert said traffic congestion was one of the biggest causes of increased costs for bus operators, as delays meant more drivers and vehicles were needed to run regular services.

She urged local authorities to bring forward bus priority schemes to help cut costs for bus operators and passengers.

"NEPTUG are obviously very disappointed to see more fare increases for bus passengers across the region.

"Any increase in fares risks pricing people off bus services, and limiting their ability to travel for work or leisure."

Ms Gilbert said the users' group hoped North East Mayor Kim McGuinness would continue to work to bring bus services under public control.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority said the fare changes were "a commercial decision by Stagecoach".

"We continue to work closely with operators to ensure we get the best deal we can for passengers and our network," a spokesperson added.

The North East Combined Authority has been contacted for comment.

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