BUS FARES are set to increase for multiple routes across Darlington and Teesside from this weekend.
Arriva North East has announced plans for the changes, which will come into effect from Sunday, April 10.
Adult and child day tickets across the Darlington Town zone will increase from £3.80 and £2 to £4 and £2.20 respectively, while day tickets for the District zone will rise from £6.20 to £6.60.
Tickets for the Teesside Zone services on Teesside will increase by 10p.
Despite the marginal price increases for individual tickets, it is families and annual ticket users who will experience the highest price rises. Family day tickets in Darlington Town and Teesside zones will be increased to £8 and £9.50 from £5, following the end of a promotional price.
Read more: How Tees Valley transport services will benefit from £310 million
Annual tickets holders will have to begin spending up to £85 more from Sunday. While Darlington Town zone tickets will rise from £470 to £490 it is Darlington District zone users who will be forced to stump up the cash for the highest ticket increase as tickets will rise from £550 to £635.
Teesside Zone annual tickets will rise from £586 to £670, while Redcar Zone tickets will increase to £480 from the £437 previously paid by passengers. Tees Valley zone annual tickets will remain at £780.
However the bus operator defended its decision to rise its prices, saying its services have been affected by rising operational costs including an increase to fuel and utility costs.
A spokeswoman said: “These increases are being implemented in direct response to the continued increasing operational cost challenges we are experiencing, as a business – included those linked to fuel and utilities.
“These costs continue to rise at a rapid rate, resulting in Arriva no longer being able to absorb constant cost pressures. It is also well documented that Covid-19 has proven to be a challenging influence on public transport passenger numbers, since March 2020 and this has further impacted operational costs during the last 2 years.
“Despite this, we have continued to operate our services & timetables throughout the pandemic and Arriva remains committed to delivering essential bus services across the country, keeping our communities connected.”
Prices from 10th April 2022
Zone
Day
3-Day Bundle*
12-Day Bundle*
Week
4-Week*
Annual*
Darlington Town Zone
Adult
£4.00
£11.50
£36.00
£15.50
£49.00
£490.00
Darlington Town Zone
Child
£2.20
n/a
n/a
£7.20
£27.50
See below
Darlington District Zone
Adult
£6.60
£18.50
£55.00
£20.00
£63.50
£635.00
Darlington District Zoe
Child
£3.00
n/a
n/a
£9.00
£33.00
See below
Teeside Zone
Adult
£4.70
£14.00
£45.00
£17.50
£67.00
£670.00
Teeside Zone
Child
£3.30
n/a
n/a
£12.00
n/a
See below
Middlesbrough Zone
Adult
n/a
n/a
n/a
£14.00
£42.00
n/a
Redcar Zone
Adult
£4.50
£12.50
£37.00
£13.00
£48.00
£480.00
Redcar Zone
Child
£2.50
n/a
n/a
£8.70
n/a
See below
Tees Valley
Adult
£6.60
£19.00
£60.00
£22.50
£81.00
£780.00
Tees Valley
Child
£4.00
n/a
n/a
£13.50
£35.00
See below
Student/Young Persons Annual ticket* available:
- £418 - Darlington Town Zone
- £495 - Darlington District Zone
- £537 - Teesside Zone
- £390 - Redcar Zone
- £605 - Tees Valley Zone
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