The £2 cap on single tickets ended at the end of 2024.
Single tickets in most areas of the country are now capped at £3 instead – but bus operator Bluestar has announced that it will charge no more than £2.50 for single journeys in its city fare zone.
But, it has scrapped return tickets.
The rise in prices has resulted in a mixed reaction from bus users.
With passengers adjusting to the increase in charges this week, Dean Bold told the Echo: “Everything is becoming more expensive.”
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The 28-year-old said: “The only time I really get on the bus is if I’m off work and need to do something in town.
“I find it’s cheaper than parking, so I don’t think that will change for now.
“I use the tap on and tap off feature on the bus and I don’t really think about the price, but everything is becoming more expensive at the moment.”
Another bus user who wished to remain anonymous said the price hike is not making bus travel “accessible” to passengers.
He said: “I’m a pensioner and have a bus pass but if I was younger, I might struggle.
“I know prices have to rise at some point but it’s not really making it accessible or as accessible as it could be if the fees were lower.
“Then again, the buses are often packed, so I guess time will tell to see if less people use them because of the price.”
Another person added: “I sometimes get the bus to Lordshill to see my friends.
“It’s late most of the time, I guess I wouldn’t mind paying more for a faster service, but it just seems like more of the same.”
Bluestar’s head of communications Nikki Honer said: “We’re working hard to ensure people across our area continue to travel by bus – and to persuade more to leave their cars at home and hop on board with us instead.”
Single fare tickets outside of the Southampton fare zone will cost £3 and returns on these routes will still be available.