BUS companies are hiking up some SmartZone fare prices – and are blaming Oxford’s roadworks and congestion.

The new fares – the first price changes in 12 months – take effect on Sunday, January 25.Some prices drop, some will stay the same and some rise.

All three of Oxford’s bus operators – Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel and Oxfordshire Stagecoach – run buses in a co-ordinated timetable through the zone, which was introduced in 2011. In a joint statement the companies said: “Over the past 12 months roadworks and congestion have had a major impact on the cost of running services.

“Extra resources have been needed to try and maintain punctuality and reliability as average speeds have reduced significantly.

“All three companies have absorbed increased costs as much as possible but now an increase to some of the SmartZone prices is unavoidable.”

All single and return tickets issued by the individual operators will not change. The price of a 12-journey SmartZone ticket will fall from £19 to £17.50 but the cost of a four-week SmartZone ticket will increase from £51.75 to £53.50.

A 13-week ticket will increase from £132.50 to £136.50 and an annual ticket will go up by £30.25.

For under-18s a four-week ticket will go up £1, a 13-week ticket £3 and an annual ticket £21.75.

 

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