Nottingham City Transport will introduce new fares from Sunday 28th August 2022, in response to significantly increased operating costs.
Fuel and staffing costs are much higher than at the start of the year, with diesel costing NCT up to 50% more and its gas price almost double.
NCT driver pay rates have also increased by 8.5-9.5% this year, in response to the national shortage of bus drivers, with higher rates of pay introduced to recruit new drivers and minimise cancellations that are affecting the industry.
Despite these significant cost pressures, the average fare increase is below the current 10.1% rate of inflation, at 6%, as NCT continues to absorb much of the higher costs being faced.
David Astill, NCT’s Managing Director said:
“We appreciate these are difficult times for all and our business is contending with cost increases too.
“We have absorbed as much of the increase in staffing and fuel costs as we can and as a result, the increase on our main fares is well below the current rate of inflation.
“We are confident our fares continue to offer value for money with many discounted fare options for the regular traveller.”
New prices in the Nottingham City Area, which apply to all payment methods, will be:
Outer Area fares on South Notts 1, Pathfinder 26 and Sky Blue 46, 47 will increase for the first time in 3½ years, with single fares rising by up to 80p and day return fares rising by up to 90p.
New Easyrider Everyday and Anyday prices (and equivalent passes on the NCTX Buses app) are:
Buses across England will benefit from up to £130 million of government support, ensuring services keep running and millions of passengers can continue using affordable transport.
The funding package announced on 19 August 2022 will cover 6 months from October 2022 to March 2023, and builds on almost 2 years’ worth of unprecedented government support to keep bus networks running. Today’s funding means almost £2 billion has been made available to over 160 bus operators during the pandemic.
The additional funding will help to protect bus services and routes, which are particularly important to people facing pressures due to the rising cost of living. The government is using every tool at its disposal to help people, from ensuring they can access affordable travel, to providing £37 billion of support for the most vulnerable households.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“This funding will ensure millions across the country can continue to use vital bus services, and brings the total we’ve provided to the sector throughout the pandemic to almost £2 billion.
“At a time when people are worried about rising costs, it’s more important than ever we save these bus routes for the millions who rely on them for work, school and shopping.”
The government is also investing £3 billion in bus services by 2025, including over £1 billion to improve fares, services and infrastructure, and a further £525 million for zero emission buses.
