Campaigners disappointed with bus fare increases

Bus passengers are "concerned" and "disappointed" that some tickets in East Sussex will cost more from February onwards.

East Sussex County Council said it had to "prioritise subsidies to bus services over subsidised fares" after a reduction to a government grant for improving services.

A nationwide £3 cap on single fares will remain, but Eastbourne Area Bus User Group (EABUG) said it was disappointed some other fares would increase.

The Department for Transport said its funding was giving councils the opportunity to lower fares, open new routes and improve infrastructure.

Shorter journey tickets that cost £1 or £2 will increase in price and some county-wide day tickets are no longer on sale under the changes.

A weekly ticket for under 19s will cost £20 instead of £15.

Nash Travelman, the chair of Brighton Buswatch, said he was "extremely concerned" about the impact of the price increases and claimed it was "as a result of the immense take up of the fares offered".

"The generosity of the fares allowed cross-county travel and beyond using several operators at a consistent and low price."

Bus Users UK chief executive Lydia Horbury said: "When supported fares are withdrawn, it is passengers who pay the price, particularly people on low incomes, young people and those without access to a car."

She called the move "disappointing" and said making buses less affordable "risks undermining efforts to grow use and support local communities".

Joel Mitchell, managing director of Stagecoach South East, said the company recognised the challenges it presented for customers and local authorities.

He said Stagecoach would continue to "explore opportunities to deliver the best possible value" while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the network.

Bus operators Metrobus, Brighton & Hove Buses and Compass Travel have been approached for comment.

East Sussex County Council said it would "continue to work closely with bus operators" to develop value for money fares, "where feasible".

David Everson, from EABUG, said he hoped that the council "may be able to help lower some bus fares again in the future, particularly for younger people" due to a new government bus funding for between 2026 and 2029.

East Sussex will receive £29.4m in that period, according to the Department for Transport.

Prior funding had been "a great success in East Sussex with bus usage increasing to above pre-Covid levels", Everson said.

There were 16.3 million journeys on local buses in the county between April 2018 and March 2019, according to government data. In 2024-25, there were 17.5 million journeys.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Bus fares in East Sussex are set locally by the county council and bus operators, as they know the needs of passengers in their area best."

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