Bus fare hikes ‘make cost of travel unaffordable’

Fears for vulnerable passengers as prices soar above inflation

Inflation-busting hikes to bus fares will hit the poorest hardest, it was claimed this week.

Stagecoach has increased ticket prices across the district, with some weekly fares jumping as much as 6.8%.

The bus firm claims the move will simplify its pricing structure, but regular passengers say the hikes will hit them in the pocket.

Mum-of-one Gemma HowardDiamond buys a weekly Megarider to travel from Herne Bay to work at Community College Whitstable. The price of the ticket has risen from £22 to £23.50.

“It may not seem much to some people, but I’m a single parent and work part-time so it’s a lot of money for me,” said the 35-yearold.

“I used to live in Ramsgate and a weekly bus ticket was half the price.”

As part of the new pricing structure, a Canterbury Dayrider ticket has gone up from £3.80 to £4, allowing one day’s unlimited travel across the city.

Passengers in Herne Bay and Whitstable have to pay £6.70 for a South East Dayrider – the price of which remains frozen – but the cost of a return to Canterbury from the coastal towns is now £7.70.

A new Swale Dayrider has been introduced, replacing the Faversham Dayrider. It costs £4 and now takes in routes to Sittingbourne.

Dan Bounds, 25, from Whitstable, uses a Megarider to travel to Herne Bay for work.

“It makes you wonder if it’s worth getting when it’s effectively coming out of your salary,” he said.

“They should be encouraging people to use the bus.”

Henry Stanton, spokesman for the Canterbury District Green Party, says the “egregious” price hike will hit the poorest hardest.

“With closures of the job centre in Whitstable and the urgent care centre in Canterbury, our most vulnerable residents are expected to travel ever further to access vital services but the cost of that travel is now unaffordable,” he said.

Cllr Neil Baker, who represents Tankerton, says there are plans to set up a passenger forum.

He says there are currently six buses an hour running to and from Whitstable.

“Would people rather wait an extra 10 minutes but pay a lower fare?” he said.

Stagecoach spokesman Matthey Maytum says the new prices have reduced the number of fare combinations.

“This makes everything a lot simpler but means that some fares have gone up and some have come down,” he said.

“We’ve also invested heavily in offering cheaper travel for children and young people.

“Like other businesses, we’re operating in a challenging economic environment.”

He says the Canterbury route, now including Chartham, has discounted rates due to it being a major urban centre.

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.

Picture: Chris Davey FM4603882 Stagecoach has increased fares across the district

Gemma Howard-diamond is worried about the fare rises