The subsidy for 50% concessionary fares for people over 60 or with a disability will end on 31 October. It was costing the Government £20 million per year, including £15 million to the UK’s largest scheduled coach operator, National Express.
This will affect nearly all scheduled coach services except Megabus (which was never subsidised in the first place), Stagecoach X5 between Oxford and Cambridge (which is registered as a bus and therefore free of charge to NCTS pass holders) and Swanbrook 853 between Oxord and Cheltenham (which is also registered as a bus and therefore free to anyone with an NCTS pass).
From 1st November each coach operator will introduce its own concessionary fares for people over 60 or with a disability.
- Oxford Bus says: The majority of our fares will still attract a discount of 25%. There is still time for customers to purchase a 12 trip product on our key smartcard at a discounted rate of just £35 for 12 trips. Any trips bought will be valid for 12 months. Smartcards can be shared so that a group traveling together can use the same smartcard.
- Stagecoach will offer a discount of about 25% on the Oxford Tube
- National Express will reintroduce its CoachCard. This will cost £10 for 12 months and will give the holder 33% off.
- Megabus will be the same price as before, as it was not subsidised in the first place.
Any journey on National Express up to August 2012 can be booked by 31 October 2011 at the 50% discount rate. If you can plan and book that far ahead, you can save yourself the fare rise!
I think it needs to be emphasized that the subsidy on the buses from Oxford to London ends too, as this is what will affect most older people in Headington.
Someone ahead of my husband in the Oxford Tube queue a few weeks ago bought ten multi-ticket strips (for a hundred single journeys). Canny pensioners won’t start suffering until this time next year.