(13 Dec 2024, 10:37 pm)busmanT wrote I'm sure that all the operators have been working behind the scenes for many weeks deciding on their new fares.
Pre the £2 cap starting in January 2023, most GNE fares were over £2 (largely £2.30) so, with inflation, £2.50 doesn't seem a bad price from January 2025.
Many passengers will still be able to save with the various TNE tickets.
They should have continued to review their fares every so often, but post them stating that the Government funded fare cap still applies to single fares.
Go North East have made a decision not to do that, instead opting to use the Government funded cap in some bid to justify hiking every other fare, when they've posted news on their website. They're literally doing just that with this latest announcement.
The price in January 2023 was £2, so the increase to the customer is is 25%. That's way above inflation for the same period.
(13 Dec 2024, 10:42 pm)Andreos1 wrote McGuiness only announced the £2.50 fare cap a few days ago.
They must have been very efficient to do all the sums, their preparation behind the scenes and just happen to hit on the same fare as McGuiness AND be able to do the press release so quickly!
If only they were as efficient elsewhere...
Great messaging for January. We'll hike your fares and cut your services for good measure, but oh, don't forget to get your bum on board.
2.50 fare hikes will undoubtedly get much of the attention, but there's some pretty shocking hikes in there. £6.10 for an 18-25 day ticket is insane, it's pence off the adult equivalent, unless you use the X10 (I'd suggest most don't!)
Gateshead and Sunderland respective tickets at £5.90, which again is 10p from the TNE ticket, giving you flexibility of other operators and the Metro.
I'd be very surprised if this lot do any market research into fares, other than asking a mate across the office if it looks OK.