Ipswich Buses Announces Comprehensive Fare Structure Review

To ensure the sustainability of services amidst a continuing rise in operational costs. Ipswich Buses has announced a comprehensive review and adjustment to its fare structure, pricing, and period products, set to take effect on 31 March 2024. Ipswich Buses fares have not been altered since February 2022.

The fare revision will simplify fare structures and offset the continuing rise in operational costs, whilst seeking to maintain affordability and value-for-money and continuing the company’s participation in the £2.00 fare scheme.

The fare adjustments will introduce a more straightforward pricing model in the town, including a flat-fare system for single and return journeys and a ‘short-hop’ fare option. The review also includes adjustments to period product and multi-journey product pricing.

Though some users will see an increase in their single or return ticket prices,  the Town Day Ticket price will be reduced to £4.50 and will be available via the Ipswich Buses App, offering improved value for all-day travel across multiple services.

The Town fare zone is also set to expand to include new areas, allowing more customers to use buses at the lower ‘Town’ fares.

‘Country’ tickets and passes will be rebranded as ‘Network’ tickets and passes to underline their validity on the entire Ipswich Buses network. Similarly, ‘TownRider’ period and multi-journey products will now be known simply as ‘Town’ passes. This name change does not affect ticket validity.

Dan Bassett, Managing Director, Ipswich Buses, says: “We understand that any change in pricing requires careful consideration. We also understand that, like us, our customers are also facing cost-of-living pressures, which is why we have done our absolute best to minimise the impact this will have on customers and kept any increases as low as possible.  We believe this package of fare changes, the boundary expansion, and the introduction of a new operating service, the 8B from Bramford to Ipswich (via Sproughton Lane), along with the reduction in the price of all-day travel on our services continues to offer our community a value-for-money service that contributes positively to our passengers’ travel experience and the overall value we offer.  Our team is committed to keeping Ipswich moving efficiently and as affordably as possible.”

The pricing structure encompasses various tickets and passes within both the Town and Network services, including options for passengers 20, continuing to ensure that all community members have access to cost-effective transportation options.

Ipswich Buses is committed to ensuring a seamless transition to the new fare system. Detailed information will be available via the website www.ipswichbuses.co.uk and on-bus announcements. Customers seeking further information or assistance are encouraged to contact the Ipswich Buses Travel Shop Team via email at [email protected] or by calling 01473 344 800.