Bus operator Stagecoach has hiked ticket prices across its Ayrshire services for the second time in a year.

From Sunday, March 31, Stagecoach will introduce new fares across its west of Scotland, following a 15 per cent increase in March last year.

The firm says that the money received in fares goes towards the day-to-day running of services as well as investing in improvements such as new electric vehicles and funding new routes.

Fare increases include the Mid Ayrshire Day Rider ticket, which is increasing from £4.80 per day to £5 per day for adults. 

The Ayr Town 7-Day Mega Rider will also increase from £15.10 to £16 for adults, and from £11.30 to £12 for students.

In addition to the fare increases, West Scotland has discontinued their Student 13 Week MegaRider ticket due to low sales.

However, students aged 22 and over can still take advantage of long-term ticket value with the 28 Day and Flexi tickets.

Fiona Doherty, managing director for Stagecoach West Scotland said : “Stagecoach has consistently delivered some of the lowest ticket prices in the country and we are committed to continuing to keep fares as low as possible for our passengers.”

“As well as paying for the day to day running of the country’s vital bus networks, ticket costs help us to continue investing in improvements for our passengers and pay for bus workers who have worked hard to keep communities connected and services running during the pandemic.

“We are doing everything possible to absorb these cost increases and to help protect our valued customers at the same time as ensuring our own people receive fair pay increases to help them manage the significant cost-of-living challenges.“

“That means that changing our fares to reflect the current climate is a necessity to ensure we can keep our services running and connecting communities across the country.”

For more information on the new fares in your area, visit stagecoachbus.com/service-updates.