BUS passengers have spoken out on the back of rising fares.

Stagecoach South, which operates services across Hampshire, said it is putting up some bus fares from Tuesday, March 1.

The bus company said that rising fuel and staff costs, plus not as many people travelling as before the pandemic, have led it to up its ticket costs.

Edward Hodgson, managing director for Stagecoach South, said: “Stagecoach has consistently delivered some of the lowest ticket prices in the country and we are committed to continuing to keep fares as low as possible for our passengers.

“Like many sectors of the economy, bus operators are seeing significant cost inflation, primarily driven by increased fuel and staffing costs. At the same time, the money bus operators receive in fares to keep services running remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.

“The changes we are making follow a fares freeze for over two years and are below the annual rise in inflation.

“As well as paying for the day to day running of the country’s vital bus networks, ticket costs help us to continue investing in improvements for our passengers, and pay our bus workers who have worked hard to keep communities connected and services running during the pandemic.”

He said that since 2019, costs across the bus industry have risen by around 12 per cent, mainly driven by fuel and staff wage increases.

The news was met with some dismay from regular bus passengers.

Raf, a 22-year-old from Southampton, is forced to cope with the rise in bus prices as he is a student at the University of Winchester.

He said: "I am not happy. I live in Southampton and have to travel almost everyday."

Student William Sands, 22, from Winchester, said: "I rely on travel and I am not too happy about the prices going up. As I am a student I am not earning lots so this affects me."

Student Alex Somerville, 16, from Andover, also did not agree with the new prices of bus tickets.

He said: “I’m annoyed. I get transport everywhere and with the environment in mind, travelling by bus is a good alternative instead of using cars. But with the prices going up, it isn’t really encouraging people to use transport.”

Personal assistant Lou–Ann Du Plessis, 52, found the matter distressing.

She said: "It’s awful. My children have to take two buses to school and back. It is far too expensive.”

Fare increases will come in on March 1. Single fares remain unchanged as well as subscription ticket MegaRider Xtra tickets, however all other tickets will be increased.

New day ticket bundles are also being introduced: Flexi 5 and Flexi 10, aimed at regular but infrequent customers. These tickets offer five days for the price of four, or 10 days for the price of seven.

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