The recent rise of bus fares to £3 for a single journey has had a profound impact on Nottingham residents, with many now thinking twice about using the transport services.
After the government-introduced £2 bus fare cap scheme ended in late 2024, the NCTX has opted to partake in the optional nationwide £3 single bus fare cap scheme. This has meant that all journeys on NCTX buses, whether it is within the Nottingham city area or all the way to Loughborough, cost £3, with the daily cap being at £5.30.
“It does make you think twice about using the bus”, says Niamh Jones, a final-year student at NTU. “Even though the difference is not huge, it does add up and now I use the bus less”.
The £2 fare cap scheme, which ran from early 2023 to late 2024, saw the amount of bus users increase with one in ten people saying it made them use the bus more (Source: Transport Focus).
NCT’s managing director David Astill said: “We were delighted when the £2 fare cap scheme was introduced both as a way of tackling the cost of living crisis for our customers, which was prevalent back in January 2023, but also as an initiative to boost bus ridership which had suffered badly as a consequence of the COVID pandemic.”
“Even though the difference is not huge, it does add up and now I use the bus less”.
Niamh Jones, NTU Student
This scheme has now been replaced by an optional £3 single fare cap funded by the government. Whilst this may save money on longer routes, short bus journeys now cost more.
“I used to hop on the bus to get back home from the shops”, says a 75-year-old Bulwell resident. “With the fares increasing, I often decide to walk the 20 minutes back home to not add another £3 to my already expensive food shop.”
“I understand why the change is happening, but it is just another thing that gets more expensive and harder to afford”, a 60-year old West Bridgford resident said. “It is frustrating when every year prices keep rising left right and centre”.
If the bus is used for more than one journey a day, there are still ways of saving money, though. “Two years on, we accept that the fare cap has to increase to be affordable, but urge our customers to transfer to buying a day ticket if making more than one journey to avoid the increase in the single fare,” Mr Astill adds.
The day ticket costs £5.30, which is less than two single fares. Student and Under 22 singles are now priced at £2.30, with Under 19 tickets remaining at £1.70.