00:00As the rising cost of living continues to affect all elements of daily life across Kent,
00:06the last thing we need is a more expensive bus ticket into town. Stagecoach, the UK's largest
00:13bus operator and a major transport provider across East Kent, increased the price of their
00:18bus fares last Sunday. Now, a short journey will cost £1.90, up from £1.80. A medium-length
00:25journey will cost £2.70 from £2.60, and longer-length journeys will stay the same at £3,
00:32as per the new £3 bus cap that came into force early this year. The increases, though marginal,
00:38are the second price shake-ups from Stagecoach this year, following changes that coincided with
00:44the government's decision to up the maximum spend for one journey on a bus from £2 to £3.
00:49In January 2025, a local deer rider went from £5.70 to £6.00. Now, a local deer rider has increased
00:59again to £6.30. Buses form a vital part of local infrastructure, particularly important for young
01:06people, the elderly and families. Even a small increase in prices over time will compound.
01:13If me and my kids want to come into town, it's the same as getting a taxi each way. I will walk
01:19into town most times, purely because it's just seems unnecessary, the amount of money that we have
01:25to spend on the buses now. It's a good idea because they do provide a good service. They always turn
01:31up on time. They come from Canterbury, Ashford, Sydney, or wherever. They're on time, not like this
01:35lot behind you. Stagecoach, on their website, explain they understand frustration, but such an increase
01:42in fares is necessary to cover the daily costs of running bus services, such as higher fuel prices
01:49and investing in customer service. Stagecoach has been unable to give a more comprehensive comment
01:55at this time. But some people feel a more detailed explanation from bus companies might make them
02:01more sympathetic to rising fare prices. People can't object. It's just false, don't they?
02:10If we were to know why they're putting the bus fares up because they need this out of the
02:14other, then maybe we'd be more understanding. But I think sometimes we just kind of see the
02:18price increases and we never kind of know why. We just go, oh yeah, you're going to pay more.
02:23That's it. 10 pence for most people might not make a difference, but 10 pence a day can quickly
02:30become an extra £1.40 a week and £5.60 a month. For those on the poverty line, having already
02:37needed to accommodate additional changes earlier this year, this money adds up. This is Megan
02:43Shaw for KMTV in Maidstone.
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