Aberdeen’s largest bus operator is to increase the price of selected fares due to "inflationary cost pressures".
First Bus has announced it will adjust the cost of a number of tickets, including return tickets, flexi single tickets and weekly tickets, from Sunday, September 22.
The bus operator said that increasing inflationary pressures related to rising fuel, energy, parts, and operational costs have meant that it was no longer feasible to keep fares at their previous level.
The changes will mean the Adult 2 Single Trips in 24hrs will move from £4.70 to £4.90, and the Adult FirstWeek ticket will change from £21.00 to £24.00.
The overhaul of First Bus' ticketing options in Aberdeen will also see changes to Bundle ticket options, FirstUnlimited and selected fares within the product range that were not increased in April as part of the operator’s annual review.
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First Bus said that the planned updates to its ticketing structure are essential in allowing it "to continue to deliver and grow services throughout the city".
Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First Bus Scotland, said: “Like all transport operators, we’re not immune to the external challenges and rising costs across the board but have tried to absorb inflationary rises we were experiencing as far as possible to benefit our customers. Unfortunately, this has reached a level where it is unsustainable and we’re regrettably having to implement a change to certain fares in Aberdeen.
“Like others across the sector, we’re facing significant rising costs across our operations, and fare increases reflect that. Nonetheless, we have strived to keep increases to a minimum. We have a diverse range of tickets available to customers meaning there is a product to suit everyone’s travel needs.
“Bus travel in Aberdeen continues to offer fantastic value for money for customers with the average cost per trip made on First Bus in the city £1.85. With this being below £2 per trip, it showcases the benefits customers can receive by choosing bus.
“Through continuing investment in new electric buses and on-board technology, as well as engaging closely with local businesses, we’re making great efforts to make it an even more comfortable and environmentally friendly mode of transport that benefits the whole city. We’re also continuing to reinvest all savings made following the introduction of bus priority measures in the city centre to benefit the customer with initiatives such as the free weekend travel on our services in Aberdeen in January this year.”
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