Ruddington’s main bus operator – which runs the Navy 3 and Green 10 services, in our village – has announced that new fares will be introduced on its services from Sunday 28th May 2023.
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is blaming the latest rises on significant increases in its costs – which the company says resulted in an operational loss during the last financial year.
From the end of this month, NCT’s average bus fare will go up by 9.6% – slightly below the current UK inflation rate of 10.1%.
However, the operator’s bad news today (17th May 2023) comes on the same day the Department for Transport announces the £2 single bus fare cap will be extended from the end of June until 31st October 2023 – to help passengers with the ‘cost of living crisis’. The government estimates subsidising the ‘Get Around for £2’ initiative for even longer will cost UK taxpayers an extra £500 million. Moreover, from November 1st 2023, the current plan is to cap single fares at £2.50 for a further 12 months.
Consequently, NCT’s fare rises will not impact all Ruddington bus passengers just yet. However, the amount the company can claim back from the government should be able to increase, as it tries to climb back into the black during the current financial year.
David Astill, NCT’s Managing Director says: “We’ve all had to contend with the cost of living situation which is affecting businesses, just as much as it is households. The government has been very understanding and has provided financial support since the lockdown of 2020. But even with that support, Nottingham City Transport has made a loss and that clearly isn’t sustainable going forward”.
The operator’s single fare from Ruddington to Nottingham without any price cap would become £2.80 – but we’ll still only pay £2.00 for now. Unfortunately, passengers who buy all-day tickets, Easyrider, Park & Ride and season tickets will not be protected from NCT’s 28th May price increases.
You can find details of all the fare changes taking place on that day >>HERE<<.
