Bus fares to rise across Coventry - when and how much it will cost you...

[dutchman]

National Express Coventry say it remains one of the cheapest in the country



Bus fares across Coventry are set to rise for the first time in six years due to rising costs. National Express Coventry has revealed that the increase is set to come into force next month.

The fare for an all-day ticket is going up 50p from £4 to £4.50 from Monday, July 3. A weekly pass will also rise £2, from £15 to £17. The bus firm has explained that it is the first price rise since 2017 for the majority of fares.

It says that the price rises are needed to help 'protect the bus network' as costs including fuel, electricity, parts and labour have increased to 125 per cent. They say it comes as the number of people using buses remains around 90 per cent of what it was before the pandemic.

A National Express Coventry spokesperson said: "We’re pleased that in the face of a difficult inflation environment, we’re able to protect the bus network and still have the cheapest all-day ticket price of any city region in England at £4.50. Our day ticket remains cheaper than in 2017.

"We’re on our customers’ side and we will continue to work hard to ensure a reliable bus service and to help them take advantage of great value travel."

As well as the increases, the firm has also said that it is reviewing whether it will participate in the government’s £2 fare cap scheme - which sees the cost of a single ticket capped at a maximum of £2 on eligible routes. Last month it announced that the ‘Get Around for £2’ will continue until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024 – when the government will review their effectiveness and future bus fares.

[rebbonk]

Shame on those responsible for this. Street cannot be trusted!

[dutchman]

National Express Coventry confirms £2 single fare offer



National Express Coventry has confirmed that it will offer the £2 single fare as a rise in ticket prices looms. The firm previously said it was reviewing whether to continue offering the ‘Get Around for £2’ scheme, which the government says will now run until the end of October.

But now the bus company has announced that it will continue its participation in the scheme. It comes at a time when bus users across the city face the first rise in fares in six years.

As of Monday (July 3), the fare for an all-day ticket will rise 50p from £4 to £4.50, and a weekly pass will also rise £2, from £15 to £17. But National Express has said that anyone doing two journeys in a day will pay £4, the same as a current day ticket, under the government scheme.

Passengers using contactless will find their fare cap is automatically applied as long as they tap on with the same card or device and use the same operator. A spokesperson for National Express Coventry said: "We recognise the challenges that household budgets are facing at the moment so we’re pleased to confirm we’re participating in the government’s extended £2 fare scheme.

"This will mean customers across Coventry and the wider West Midlands can beat the 3rd July fare rises. If they do just two journeys a day and pay by contactless, their fare will be capped at £4, making sure they never overpay.

"We’re on our customers’ side and continue to work hard to provide great value bus travel on our comprehensive network, making it even easier for customers to ditch the car and switch to the bus."