Bus fares a 'postcode lottery' after discount axed
NCJ MediaThe cost of bus travel has been branded a "postcode lottery" after a decision to axe a discounted ticket in one area.
The North East Public Transport Users Group (NEPTUG) said it appeared "unfair" that some passengers will need a "pricier ticket" depending on their location.
The £6.80 Tyne and Wear Day Rover offering unlimited day travel across the county's public transport systems will end on 1 April, but passengers in Durham and Northumberland can pay £6 for unlimited bus travel within the counties.
The North East Combined Authority (NECA) said it needed to "control the costs" of its subsidised fares due to inflation.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service it costs the authority £32m per year to offer the subsidies, which it said would jump to £37m without the new restrictions next year.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness extended the region's £2.50 cap on the cost of a single bus journey to March 2027.
Public subsidies are used to reimburse the cost of discounted fares to private operators.
'Passengers deserved better'
The rover ticket can currently be used on the Shields Ferry, metros and train services.
The closest alternative for passengers will be the regionwide day ticket, which also covers services in Durham and Northumberland and costs £7.50.
The NEPTUG spokesperson said it welcomed a move to simplify tickets but said the changes appeared "unfair" on people living in Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
They said: "Passengers deserve better than a postcode lottery for public transport tickets across our region."
The cost of the Durham day rover will increase from £5 to £6 next year.
The discounted public transport tickets for young people aged 21 and under, capped at £1 for a single and £3 for a day ticket, will be limited to those who have a Pop Blue smartcard.
A NECA spokesperson said: "Public transport use in the North East is growing faster than almost anywhere in the country because we've stepped in to keep fares low.
"Mayor Kim has promised to freeze these fares until at least 2027 and keep Metro fares as low as possible with single journeys starting from £2 with a Pop card."
