Changes to fares in the North East
1 January 2025
From 1 January 2025 there will be price changes to some of our fares in the North East.
We’re simplifying our single bus fares, taking into account feedback from customers and stakeholders who previously expressed concerns over the complexity of our single fare structure. Our new single fare structure will instead only hold three price points, which we believe will be much simpler.
Most single fares in the region will therefore be priced at either £1.60 or £1.70 for short trips, £2.30 for slightly longer journeys and then anything beyond this will be capped at either £2.50 or £3.00 per journey (see full details below).
Return tickets will also be removed from sale, however all existing day, week and longer tickets will continue to be available with no change to price or zones.
How much will my journey be?
If your journey is fully within Northumberland, Tyne & Wear or County Durham (NECA area) then your maximum single journey fare will be £2.50. if your journey is anywhere else in the region, including cross boundary journeys between Tees Valley and County Durham, then your maximum single journey fare will be £3.
As an example, if you currently pay a single fare up to around £1.90, then your new fare will be either £1.60 or £1.70. If you currently pay a fare up to £2, then your new fare will be either £2.30 or capped at £2.50/£3.00.
Existing U22 £1 single fare schemes and £3 day tickets will continue to be available.
What else do I need to know?
Some journeys, such as journeys on Service X16 into Scotland, are not within the Government or Mayoral fare cap will have a slightly higher maximum fare of up to £5.
Tap on tap off will continue to offer the best value fare, either using these new single fare values or capping your journey at the relevant day/week ticket.
Teencards will be withdrawn, however existing £1 U22 schemes will continue to be in place and provide an alternative ticket option.
A small number of Northumberland County Council contracted services (Services 415, 434, 460 and 777) will still hold a £1.10 fare, in addition to the new fares above.
Current evening only £1 fares in Darlington and Stockton (Service 15) will be withdrawn.
Existing 3 day and 10-day bundles will no longer be available.
When do the capped fare schemes ends?
Both the government and NECA Mayoral fare cap schemes are planned to be in place until 31 December 2025.
Which services are not included in the capped fare schemes?
Service X16 only for journeys into Scotland, all other journeys within Northumberland/Tyne & wear on this service will still be capped.
Services ED1, ED2, ED3, ED4 and ED5 will not be included, along with Scholars Service 865.
Can I still purchase a capped fare on the app?
You can buy capped single fares on our app. However, to get the best value ticket we recommend you buy your single ticket when you board and tell your driver where you're travelling as you may be able to travel with us for less than the price of the capped fare.
How long are tickets purchased on the app valid for?
Mobile tickets are only valid for 1 hour once activated. Please activate your ticket as close to your journey as possible.