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Stagecoach has reversed plans to scrap return tickets after it was met with outrage by passengers and politicians.

The plan, which would have seen passengers having to buy two single tickets or a day rider, was reversed by Stagecoach after it was condemned by passengers and politicians – including Merthyr and Rhymney MP Gerald Jones.

The MP for Merthyr and Rhymney stated he was “incredibly concerned” for constituents in relation to the plans, which could have meant passengers who bought their tickets on the bus would have paid at least £5.40 for a return journey from Rhymney to Fochriw –  a distance of fewer than three miles.

Despite this reversal on return tickets, there will still be changes to some ticket prices on January 29, with day, week, month and Xtra tickets to increase by 9.6% – meaning an adult day ticket in Caerphilly will rise from £4.40 to £4.90.

Gerald Jones MP for Merthyr and Rhymney wrote to the Managing Director of Stagecoach, Nigel Winter.

In the publicly shared letter on January 18, he said: “I am incredibly concerned at the impact this will have upon a great many people in our communities, especially given that we’re in the midst of the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis.”

Caerphilly Observer contacted Stagecoach for a comment on the justification for the price hike during a cost-of-living crisis.

A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “We have confirmed changes to our day, week, month and Xtra tickets from January 29, 2023. There is currently no change to single and return ticket prices. We will provide any updated information to our customers via our usual communication channels.

“Unlike prices in many other sectors of the economy, our tickets have been frozen since 2019 and we still offer travel for as little as £1.99 per day. Passengers can also save 20% by buying our flexi5 e-tickets.

“Like households, other companies, local councils and many organisations, however, we are facing significantly increased costs which have put pressure on the charges for services.

“Since 2019/20, we have seen a 29% increase in vehicle maintenance costs, and utility costs have shot up by more than 40%, including an increase of 16% in the last year alone.

“We have also increased pay for our people by up to 20% to help them with the cost-of-living challenges and address the shortage of skilled employees in the wider economy.”

Buses are ‘a lifeline’ in an area where households have fewer cars

Access to buses is important according to one resident in the Upper Rhymney Valley. Buses are “a lifeline” for people and a “social thing”. 

According to a Welsh Government report from March 2022, Bws Cymru, buses are the main form of public transport throughout Wales – with more than three in four public transport journeys in Wales taken by bus. 

This is aggravated by other factors in places such as Rhymney – where more people on average do not have access to a car or van.

In Rhymney, 32% of households have no car or van compared to just 23% of the UK average, according to statistics from the Officer for National Statistics.

Lack of access to transport can have devasting effects as the Bws Cymru report adds that “The loss of services can cut people off from their jobs and education, damage the economy of local businesses and affect people’s physical and mental health. 

“Rural bus services keep communities connected, provide local tourism benefits and help tackle problems with social exclusion.”

Price hikes come despite ‘declining’ bus services

Despite the u-turn on return tickets, increases to some adult tickets remain – despite a decline in the services on offer. Places like the Upper Rhymney Valley, and others, are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. 

According to one Pontlottyn resident there used to be three bus services an hour operated by Stagecoach, but this was reduced to just two during the pandemic with the third yet to return. 

In May 2022 Dawn Bowden MS, who represents Merthyr and Rhymney in the Senedd, highlighted “unacceptable” changes to bus services in her constituency, with services “greatly reduced” or “even withdrawn completely”.

Ms Bowden MS and Mr Jones MP launched ‘Better Buses Now’, a campaign to improve services.

The Welsh Labour Government has made plans to undo privatisation, according to Gerald Jones MP, who wrote in a comment on Facebook: “The Welsh Government’s plans on this [bus services]…will undo the privatisation introduced by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s and allow councils to run bus services again (if they want to).”

Passengers can find more information about the changes to Stagecoach ticket prices here.