PUBLIC transport fares in Edinburgh will increase from April this year due to “increased operational costs” that have been building in the past two years.
Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams announced yesterday that ticket prices will be increasing for the first time since 2023.
The fare changes will come into effect on Sunday 6 April and affect all 14 tram ticket types, as well as Lothian Buses, Lothian Country, and East Coast Buses.
Increases to national insurance payments this year mean that the City of Edinburgh Council will face possible costs of £35m, extending to some of its organisations such as Lothian Buses.
Revised ticket prices will come into place next month, as operators state that all fares revenue is reinvested into the running of the business, and it is therefore necessary to keep the fleet running successfully.
They state that Lothian’s TapTapCap, which provides a pay as you go service capped at £5, will continue to offer discounted fares, though the Adult DAYTicket (renamed the City DAY ticket), will now be £5.50 rather than the current £5.
There is also no change to the Airlink Airport single and the return fare for this service, and Lothian Buses state that part of the review will include a “harmonisation” of products in East and West Lothian to continue the simplification of ticketing.
Adult single bus tickets will increase from £2 to £2.20, with a child single rising to £1.10 from £1.
Their sister company Edinburgh Trams has also increased prices similarly, with an adult return costing £4.20 as opposed to £3.80, but customers can still buy discounted bundles on the tram app and pre-book some types to receive discounted rates.
Lea Harrison, managing director at Edinburgh Trams, said: “While every effort has been made to keep fare increases to a minimum, the rise will allow us to meet our commitments to providing cost-effective and environmentally friendly travel across the city.
“We understand that fare rises are never preferred, but demands on the network and on staff have never been higher, with trams now running more frequently every day.
“These fare changes will allow us to continue to maintain and improve the tram network for the benefit of the customer.”
Transport and environment convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Edinburgh Trams provides an award winning and vital service to our city, with over 12 million journeys completed last year alone.
“We’ve all seen the benefits from trams to Newhaven and it’s fair to say that the arrival of the trams has breathed a new lease of life into the north of the capital.
“I realise that these fare increases are a difficult reality in the current economic climate.
“However, it’s vital that we continue to invest in and protect our tram network, whilst continuing with our bold vision for a new tram line from north-south in the future.
“Keeping Edinburgh moving is my priority and I’ll continue to work alongside Edinburgh Trams to make that happen.”
