Fares hike to cover fuel costs

A South West bus operator has put its fares up as a result of rising fuel prices and the cost of providing free travel for pensioners.

Stagecoach Devon said fares had to rise to avoid routes being cut.

The price hikes will be targeted at longer routes which have previously been discounted.

A weekly bus pass from Torquay to Exeter which now costs £22 will cost £30 after July 28. Daily tickets and shorter routes are not affected.

"I have sympathy for customers, for them it is just a hit on the pocket "
Richard Stephens, Stagecoach Devon

Richard Stephens from Stagecoach Devon said: "We have been trying to absorb cost rises and low fares for a long time, but now it's just not sustainable.

"I have sympathy for the customers, for them it is just a hit on the pocket at a time when they don't need it."

This is Stagecoach Devon's second price rise this year. In March there was a 7% fare rise on shorter routes to help cover the cost of providing free bus travel to pensioners.

Mr Stephens said high fuel costs had already led to one route, from Paignton to Plymouth, being cut. He said he did not want to lose any more.

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