Preston Bus university bus pass sees ‘bewildering’ price hike

Screenshot of the March 2023 ticket costing £90 and the September 2023 ticket cost £238 — The cost of the term ticket has increased by 265 per cent in one go

The Preston Bus university bus pass has increased by more than two-and-a-half times.

The price of a UCLan term ticket, which is available to both staff and students, has risen from £90 to £238.

Liam Astley works at UCLan and has used the ticket for his commute for the past few years.

Liam said: “Usually the price goes up a few quid each year, you expect that. But a £148 increase out of the blue is bewildering.

“More than doubling it in one go feels indefensible to me – especially when we’re in a cost of living crisis, and trying to encourage people to use public transport more.”

A Preston Bus outside UCLan's Student Union Pic: Google — Preston Bus offer a term ticket to UCLan staff and students Pic: Google

Liam said Preston Bus had not replied to his request for an explanation about the price hike.

“I won’t be paying for this new term ticket and am having to look at alternative ways to get to work and back,” said Liam

“I’m fairly lucky in that I’ve been able to switch to mostly carpooling instead, and just buying the occasional single when I have to get the bus.

“I feel bad for other staff and especially students who are stuck using the pass to get in and out of campus.”

Blog Preston contacted Preston Bus and UCLan for comment but did not receive a response.