An increase of 5% to be actioned from 05.12.2022.
Fares will be applied up or down to the nearest 10p. 

Rest assured, applying a fare review in December is something we absolutely did not want to do, especially this late in the year. In fact at all!

However, our costs have risen exponentially and are set to rise even further from the last budget statement.

In order to explain why we have to increase fares, we hope that passengers and the public understand that the bus services we operate are 92% commercial.

This means that 92% of the mileage we operate for bus services in Lincolnshire is not underpinned, franchised or indeed tendered by either the DFT or LCC. There is support from the DFT (called BSOG) which is a small amount per litre of fuel used on public services, also the DFT reimburse us towards a % of the ticket cost of concessionary passes. We receive funding from LCC for carrying students with passes when schools are in and for a small number of closed education contracts, other than that - everything else we operate which covers approx 120K KM per month of public bus services, is totally commercial and delivered through ticket sales from passengers.

So when the operational cost to deliver bus services from heat, light, fuel, wages, insurance, licences, vehicles, parts, tyres, digital systems, rates, pensions and just about every other overhead that can imagine has increased - it applies to us too; sadly, just like any other aspect today will impact you as a passenger.

We fully understand and appreciate that many people in the communities we serve are feeling aggrieved, because children have to go to school, over 16's have to be in college, work or apprenticeships many commuters are using the bus instead of the car, so the rising costs for all passengers is something we sincerely understand but we cannot escape from either, not without detrimentally effecting the level of services we deliver during the day.

On a positive note, we have applied to the DFT to be part of the £2 fare cap scheme set to launch in January 2023, this will run for 3 months until March 31st 2023. Although we've applied for it we will have to wait to see if the reimbursement offered by the DFT can cover the loss on ticket sales needed to operate bus services, we won't know until late December 2022 if its successful but of course we will advise passengers as soon as we are able.

Where does the money from my fare go?
The vast majority of revenue from passenger fares covers the day-to-day costs of running the buses, for example paying for operating costs, overheads, fuel and staff. There is an ongoing heavy burden of legislation with the PCV Industry being heavily regulated. The cost of applying and administrating compliancy, Real Time information, vehicle specifications, licensing and DDA to name but a few - have in the past 5 years risen exponentially. We will and are still lobbying for more support towards your local rural bus service by the regional authority and DFT.

On average, 95p in every pound of your fare goes directly back into the operating costs. That’s because here at Brylaine everyone works hard to get more out of every pound we earn to ensure passengers fares go further in supporting the local bus network.

Whilst a fare rise is something we did not want to implement at this time - knowing full well many local residents and families are already stretched. Rest assured we continue to be committed to offering our passengers the best value fares possible, with the aim of keeping bus travel as affordable for all, whilst investing to improve our services for passengers.

We will always as a local family business, thank you for your continued support and kind patronage of local bus services.