In full: Xplore Dundee reveals rises in bus fares for 2022

Dundee’s main bus operator has revealed a rise in fares across most of its tickets this year.

Xplore Dundee says the hikes will come into force on Monday April 25.

It comes after parent company McGill’s reported a slump in profits caused by Covid.

It is the first time the firm’s bus fares have risen in two years and comes amid a cost of living crisis that has led to prices for most services rising significantly.

How much are tickets increasing by?

Adult

• Short hop – increasing from £1.80 to £1.90.
• Long hop – increasing from £2.30 to £2.45 (paper ticket) and £2.35 (mTicket).
• Five-trip bundle – increasing from £9 to £9.60.
• 10-trip bundle – increasing from £18 to £19.25 (mTicket and smartcards).
• Daysaver – increasing from £3.80 to £4 (paper ticket) and £3.60 to £3.85 (mTicket); smartcards withdrawn.
• Five-day bundle – increasing from £15 to £16.
• Eveningsaver – increasing from £3 to £3.20; smartcards withdrawn.
• Groupsaver – increasing from £9 to £9.60 (paper ticket) and £8 to £8.55 (mTickets); smartcards withdrawn.
• Weeksaver – increasing from £14 (paper ticket) and £13.50 (mTickets and smartcards) to £14.45 (all).
• Four Weeksaver – increasing from £50 to £53.
• Direct debit – increasing from £44 to £47.

Student

• Unihop – remains £1.50.
• 10-trip bundle – increases from £13 to £13.90.
• Daysaver – increase from £3.20 to £3.40 (mTickets); paper ticket remains £3.60; smartcards withdrawn.
• Weeksaver – increase from £10.50 to £11 (paper ticket) and £10 to £10.70 (mTickets and smartcards).

All fares for children between the ages of five and 15 have been frozen at current prices, while those aged 16 to 21 need to pay adult fares.

However, passengers aged five to 21 with a valid NEC card can travel for free.

Why are fares going up?

In a statement, Xplore Dundee says it has had to review its fares freeze to cover the cost of running services and to meet “higher fuel and electricity bills”.

The firm said: “We’re also in the midst of a major fleet upgrade as Dundee prepares to introduce a low emission zone in the city centre.

“This includes the £7 million recently invested in brand-new Electric Emeralds (with more zero-emission buses in the pipeline) plus bringing older vehicles up to modern standards with engine conversion technology.

“Lastly, an unfortunate consequence of worsening traffic congestion is a heavier cost to keep services running reliably.

“We’re continually trying to improve the quality of the service we provide, which includes spending more money on more essential resources.”

Will other Dundee bus fares rise?

Stagecoach is the other main bus operator in Dundee, running services between the city, Perthshire, Angus and Fife.

The company has increased some fares in England but has not confirmed whether it will make any changes in the east of Scotland this year, with prices “kept under constant review”.

A spokesman said: “Most of our ticket prices across Scotland have not risen for around three years and we have regularly been independently assessed as offering the best value fares of any major operator in the UK.

Bus operators – like households, other businesses and public sector organisations – are facing significantly increased costs

“However, bus operators – like households, other businesses and public sector organisations – are facing significantly increased fuel, energy and supply chain costs.

“We continue to keep our fares under review with the aim of offering the lowest prices possible, while reflecting changing costs and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the bus network.”