Hold onto your wallets, Swindon bus riders! The cost of your daily commute is about to change. Swindon Bus Company has just announced a series of ticket price increases, along with a rebranding of their popular Dayrider tickets. But here's where it gets interesting: these changes come with a promise of added value and convenience. Let's break it down.
Starting Sunday, February 22, 2026, the familiar Dayrider tickets will be renamed to TravelPass Dayrider and TravelPass Plus Dayrider, available both on the app and in paper form. These tickets will now be valid on Stagecoach services, too—a definite perk for those who rely on multiple bus networks. However, there’s a catch: if you’re using ‘Tap On Tap Off’ contactless payments, you’ll need to stick with Swindon’s Bus Company to ensure the correct fare is applied. This detail might spark some debate—is it a step toward integration or a subtle nudge to stay loyal to one provider? Let us know what you think in the comments.
The new prices for these rebranded tickets are as follows: an Adult TravelPass Dayrider will cost £5.20, while the Adult TravelPass Plus Dayrider jumps to £6.30. For young travelers, the equivalent passes will be £4.20 and £5.40, respectively. These tickets join Swindon Bus Company’s broader range of TravelPass options, which offer unlimited travel across Swindon’s urban area (both inner and outer zones) for durations of one day, one week, four weeks, or 13 weeks.
And this is the part most people miss: the prices for these longer-term passes are also going up. For adults, the standard TravelPass will see increases ranging from £1 to £13. For instance, the weekly pass rises from £19 to £20, the four-week pass from £71 to £75, and the 13-week pass from £212 to £225. The TravelPass Plus options for adults will also increase, with the weekly pass going from £21 to £22, the four-week pass from £82 to £86, and the 13-week pass from £247 to £258.
Young travelers aren’t exempt from these changes either. Weekly standard TravelPasses will rise from £14 to £15, while the Plus version increases from £16 to £16.50. For four-week passes, the standard option goes from £51.50 to £56, and the Plus version from £59 to £64. Is this fair for younger riders, or should there be more affordable options for students and teens? Share your thoughts below.
Despite these price hikes, Swindon Bus Company is emphasizing the value they bring to passengers. A spokesperson highlighted, “In a busy world, value means more than just saving money. It’s about saving time, staying connected, and having the freedom to live life your way.” They argue that traveling by bus in Swindon isn’t just a journey—it’s a smarter choice for everyday life. With real-time tracking, family-friendly travel, and modern onboard features, the company claims their buses offer more than just a ride.
For those who prefer single fares, there’s some good news: these will remain £3 or less until 2027. Plus, up to two children under five can travel for free—a small but welcome relief for families. You can plan your journey and track buses online at https://www.swindonbus.co.uk/plan-your-journey.
So, what do you think? Are these price increases justified by the added convenience and integration with Stagecoach? Or is this just another example of rising costs for essential services? Let’s keep the conversation going—drop your thoughts in the comments!
