Stagecoach announces fares to rise by average 3.9 per cent

Fares in Northamptonshire will rise by an average of 3.9 per cent from Sunday, April 14, with the cost of a Weekly Northampton Megarider ticket - which is used by most passengers in Northampton - to increase from £11.80 to £12.

Most fares have increased by between 5p and 10p.

Stagecoach says its buses are still a far cheaper form of transport than cars, and says an independent survey carried out last year found it offers the best value bus fares “of any major bus operator in the UK.”

Stagecoach have said today that continued rising labour, energy, fuel and insurance costs, and reduced public sector investment in bus services, has left them with no choice but to increase some fares.

Steve Burd, managing director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: “We understand that this will be frustrating for our passengers. Unfortunately we have had to take some difficult decisions but we have done our best to keep fare changes to a minimum.

“We are facing continued rising costs in a number of areas of our business and we are seeing reduced public sector support for bus services as local authority budgets continue to be squeezed.

“We have worked hard to keep fares down for those who rely on the bus the most. As the cost of motoring continues to rise, our bus services continue to offer a greener, smarter and better value way to travel and we are committed to re-investing income from fares in further improvements for passengers.”