Exeter Greens challenge Stagecoach over 'steep' city bus fare hikes

Green Party councillors have called for an urgent review of bus fares in Exeter, claiming a new simplified pricing structure has resulted in "steep increases" for city residents.

The calls follow a meeting between Green representatives and Peter Knight, CEO of Stagecoach South West, to discuss the impact of the operator’s recent "Greater Exeter" fare overhaul.

While Stagecoach maintains the new system makes travel "better value" for many, councillors argue the changes prioritise profit over passenger numbers.

The Green Party highlighted several price jumps since the rollout of the new structure in January and the conclusion of the previous government's £2 fare cap.

Key increases cited include:

• Dayrider tickets: Rose from £5.50 to £6.50 (an 18 per cent increase).

• Termrider tickets: Increased from £243 to £312 (a 28 per cent increase for students).

• Flexi-tickets: The 'Exeter Flexi10' (costing £3.85 per day) was replaced by a 5-day multi-buy costing £5.20 per day, a 35 per cent rise.

County Councillor Thomas Richardson said: “Presenting the new Greater Exeter fares structure as offering ‘better value’ is Stagecoach spin. Indeed, Peter Knight himself acknowledged the steep fare hikes for Exeter passengers when we put these to him, saying they are necessary to cover operational costs."

He added: “It’s clear that a lack of ambition by Stagecoach to increase passenger numbers is bypassed by an easier route to generate profits. So if they can carry 10 passengers paying £5 each rather than 20 passengers paying £2 each, they'll carry fewer passengers if this means more revenue.”

The Greens are urging the reintroduction of a £1 "add-on" fare for children travelling with adults and the creation of a 90-minute single ticket.

Cllr Diana Moore noted a "definite sense of decline" in Exeter's services, citing an ageing fleet and cuts to evening and Sunday frequencies.

“Encouraging people onto buses needs affordable fares too," Cllr Moore said. "The city has a choice: to demand and get behind measures designed to improve bus reliability or see the bus network collapse like we’ve seen happen with First in Cornwall.”

Stagecoach South West defended the changes, stating the structure was developed in response to customer feedback and has led to "significant price reductions" for many passengers outside the immediate city zone.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: "Our services must remain financially sustainable and are supported by the revenue collected. We continue to see modest passenger growth across our network, including in Exeter."

Addressing the request for the £1 child add-on, the company stated: “A £1 child add-on fare has not been available for many years. More recently, we have introduced new child 7-day and 28-day tickets, alongside Multi Buy Day tickets, which provide improved value for children travelling on our services."

The operator also pointed to group tickets starting at £13 for five people as "one of the best value options available."