Stagecoach has announced that, from 29th April 2018, they are abolishing the £1 child add-on ticket for journeys in Exeter. These are to be replaced by single fares or a £3 Child Dayrider. This information can be found here: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/so...

For adults travelling alone with children, this represents a huge fare increase.

Before 29th April, an adult travelling with one child would pay £4.90 for a day of travel within Exeter (£3.90 Adult Dayrider plus £1 child add-on). From 29th April, this is due to increase to £7 (£4 Adult Dayrider plus £3 Child Dayrider). This is an increase of £2.10 per day of travel, which represents a 43% increase.

Similarly, increases will take place for an adult travelling with two, three or four children. The Group Dayrider of £8 will only represent a saving to an adult if they were to travel with five or more children, or if they were to travel with another adult.

This change will have a serious impact upon many families, especially single parents and the least well-off, many of whom do not own a car. It will also be yet another disincentive for all families to choose to leave their cars at home, and therefore the removal of the child add-ons will negatively impact on Exeter's air quality, traffic congestion, and contribution to climate change. These are all issues that Stagecoach has repeatedly stated that they are concerned about, especially congestion, as traffic delays cause problems with their service.

This change is taking place without any consultation, and local Exeter councillors in neither Devon County Council nor Exeter City Council were made aware prior to this decision being made.

We call upon Stagecoach South West to consider their social and environmental responsibilities, to reverse this decision, and to retain the £1 child add-on tickets in Exeter.