Worcester city bus passengers to pay less than the government’s £3 fare cap

Worcester city bus passengers will pay less than the government’s new fare cap, First Bus has announced today.

The changes to fares, which take effect from January 1, have been made after the government announced it was increasing the cap on single fares from £2 to £3.

First Bus has announced that customers travelling in the Worcester city zone (within about two miles of the city centre) will pay £2.20 for a single adult fare. On the wider Worcester network singles will cost £3, with short trips of under two miles costing £2.20.

The £2.20 fare, which is 27% less than the government cap, is actually cheaper than some of the fares in the city before the price cap was introduced by the government at the start of 2023.

Among some of the changes are:

• Adult single fares on the Worcester city network, and for trips under two miles on the wider Worcester network, will increase from £2 to £2.20.
• Adult single fares for trips of two miles or more on the wider Worcester network will increase from £2 to £3.
• There are also changes to day and season ticket prices, and to child fares. See the First Bus website for full details.

Rob Pymm, Commercial Director for First Bus in Worcester, said: “Some of our fares will be changing from January 1 in response to the UK government’s £3 fare cap. Despite growing costs and increasing our network of services, we’ve worked hard to minimise the impact of this fare change, and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to encouraging more people to travel sustainably by bus.

“We’re pleased that some of the new Worcester city fares will actually be cheaper than when the government introduced its £2 cap last year.

“Bus travel remains a great value option that is good for society and the environment. We’re continuing to invest in bus services, and our Tap On, Tap Off technology remains the easiest and quickest way to pay, ensuring customers get the best value fare for their journey.”

First Bus is also encouraging more customers to make use of its Tap On, Tap Off (TOTO) technology that allows customers to swipe their bank card or device on an on-board payment reader to ensure they get the best value fare every time they travel and have their daily and weekly costs capped – making it the quickest and most cost-effective way to travel. A full list of the new fares can be found on the First Bus website.