Bus fares due to rise after fuel costs soar

BUS fares on services in Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster are set to rise due to a “steep increase in costs” for operator Stagecoach.

The company, which uses almost 13 million litres of diesel a year and faces a jump of more than £1.3m on its fuel bill, has raised most of its adult single and return fares by 10p.

Many daily and weekly saver tickets are being held at the same price, while the “Adult Explorer” – which allows travel on Stagecoach services in south and west Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Gainsborough and on Sheffield Supertram – will go up from £5 to £5.20.

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South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has also put up child bus fares in South Yorkshire from 40p to 50p.

Paul Lynch, managing director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We have worked hard to delay this review for as long as possible but, reluctantly, we can no longer do so.

“Our average fare increase is much lower than the increasing cost of private motoring and, in some cases, fares are going up for the first time in many years.

“We will continue to offer value for money public transport and, with the rocketing price of motoring, switching to greener, smarter bus travel makes even more sense than ever.”

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Meanwhile, new night-time bus services are being introduced for revellers in Barnsley.

From Saturday, May 7 the number 66 bus, which connects Barnsley town centre with Worsbrough, Birdwell, Hoyland and Elsecar, will run on Friday and Saturday nights at 12.25am, 1.25am, 2.25am and 3.25am. The last bus currently leaves Barnsley bus station at 11.25pm.

Mr Lynch added: “This is our way of supporting people by offering them an alternative way home in these testing economic times.

“A high proportion of Barnsley people live in areas along the 66 route and this is why the new service is being introduced on this journey.”