Students will have to shell out more for the Magic Bus from next month, as Stagecoach has announced new fares.
The 142, 143, and 147 services are student staples — with the routes from south Manchester to the city centre including stops in Withington, Fallowfield, Rusholme, and on Oxford Road for the main universities. For years, fares were low so hard-up students could save their money.
However, Stagecoach has announced the fares will rise from December 3 on the 142, 143, and 147 to come into line with non-Magic buses on similar routes. Currently, the 42 and 43 mirror the paths taken by the Magic Bus, albeit sometimes heading further south to the airport or Stockport.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson lists stunning £3.5 million mansion for sale after wife's passing
“Most fares will be £2.00, to be the same as Stagecoach single fares on services 42 and 43,” the bus company confirmed. Single fares were previously £1.50.
Stagecoach added: “The Magic Day ticket will no longer be available. As an alternative you can save money with a Flexi ticket from £4.20 a day [with the Flexi10, 10 day tickets £42.00 on the Stagecoach Bus App].
“The 7 Day MagicRider Ticket [will be] £14.00, available on the Stagecoach Bus App or online only.”
Bus fares have been capped at £2 for an adult single in Greater Manchester since September 2022, a move which has been replicated nationally to help people in the cost-of-living crisis. By 2025, the Magic Bus brand may cease to exist as all services in the city-region are taken into public control, and come under the Bee Network brand — which launched in September of this year.
