13 April 2022
I have been campaigning for years to end rip-off bus fares in Nuneaton. For many years Stagecoach have had a near monopoly of bus services in large parts of Nuneaton but faced strong competition on the Bedworth to Coventry and Nuneaton to Hinckley routes.
There are two main fare anomalies used to keep Nuneaton fares high. Firstly, they have kept the zones for multi-trip tickets very small, for example excluding Galley Common and ending at the Griff Roundabout going south. Secondly, they have very high ticket price sections just north and west of Nuneaton town centre where there is zero competition.
I have for years asked that the National Express 20 services that go between Coventry and Bedworth to be extended to Nuneaton and this happened just before the pandemic. This gives access to £4 national Express West Midlands day ticket for travel on buses around Coventry to us, here in Nuneaton.
Now Stagecoach have responded by including Galley Common in their Nuneaton day ticket area from 24th April and introducing a £2.20 single ticket between Nuneaton Bus Station and Coventry. However they will still rip-off people north and west of Nuneaton town centre who want to ride to Coventry. The single fare on the 48 service to Coventry for those starting on the Hinckley Road or from Camp Hill is now to be £5.10. The first bit of about a mile will cost £2.90 while the other 9 miles cost £2.20. The same rip-off happens with their Nuneaton Plus “Megarider” weekly and monthly tickets. For example the monthly Coventry and Bedworth “Megarider” is just £57.70 but if you need to start in Camp Hill or on the Hinckley road you need the Nuneaton Plus “Megarider” at £118.10.
Cllr Keith Kondakor
April 2022