Bus fares to change as fare cap increases

Bus fares are set to change across parts of Kent, Surrey and Sussex as the government's national bus fares cap rises.

Last October the prime minister announced that the single bus fare cap in England would be raised to £3.

This increased cap, to take effect from New Year's Day, will run until the end of 2025.

As a result bus operators including Stagecoach and Arriva are to introduce changes to some of their fares in the South East.

Stagecoach has confirmed that there will be changes in both Kent and East Sussex from 1 January.

In Kent, there will be no price changes to single tickets under £2 but some fares previously capped at £2 will increase up to £3.

Despite the national cap increase, Stagecoach bus fares will be kept at a lower rate across East Sussex due to a partnership with East Sussex County Council with some single journeys capped at £1.

According to Stagecoach this will run until at least March 2025.

Return tickets will no longer be available in either Kent or East Sussex.

Arriva, which runs services in Kent and Surrey, is withdrawing return tickets from 1 January. The operator will also no longer offer 3-day or 12-day bundle tickets from the same date.

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