McGill’s increase bus fares and reduce services.
Starting April 3rd, 2023, brace yourselves for some unwelcomed changes in McGill’s bus fares. Unfortunately, the company has decided to increase its prices due to the expiration of funding support received from the Scottish Government, which helped to keep the services running during the pandemic. Despite the frozen fares since 2019, McGill’s has reviewed its prices, making it harder for people to afford essential travel services. Moreover, the company is replacing the existing GoZone structure with new zones that may confuse passengers, with numerical codes being replaced with geographical names.
To add insult to injury, McGill’s is also introducing brand-new tickets, which are not as impressive as they sound. The new GroupSaver ticket only offers a discounted price if five people travel together, while the DuoSaver offers only a 25% discount for a second DaySaver. The new EveningSaver may save you some money, but only 20% less than a DaySaver.
The new ticket prices are now more expensive, and to make things worse, passengers may have to navigate through the confusing new zones. To add a final blow, the young people who used to benefit from free bus travel are now no longer eligible for it unless they brand valid NEC card. It’s a shame that a company like McGill’s that used to offer great value for local travel services has now decided to increase its fares and make it harder for people to afford to travel.
