SWEEPING changes to the pricing structure on Swindon buses come into force on Monday.

Thamesdown Transport, which runs eight in 10 of the buses in the borough, has reduced its four travel pricing zones to three.

The move means bus fares will go up by 10p for about 70 per cent of passengers, but go down 10p for the remainder.

The overall effect is a fares increase generating a 1.9 per cent increase in revenue for the company.

The two outer transport zones have now been merged. They cover areas like Grange Park, Penhill, Stratton, Greenbridge and Eldene.

The inner zone covers Old Town, Walcot, Gorse Hill and Rodbourne, while the central zone covers just the town centre.

Currently, a journey across one zone costs 50p, two zones 80p, three zones £1.10 and four zones £1.30.

Under the new system a journey across one zone costs 60p, two zones 90p and three zones £1.20.

Thamesdown Transport managing director John Owen said: "It's part of a longer term plan to simplify the fare zones and speed up the service.

"People in the outer areas of town will find they can travel much further for the minimum 60p single fare.

"The reduction in the maximum fare is also intended to help people going to the new hospital at Commonhead when it opens later in the year.

"We try to encourage people to buy tickets like Day Rider and Travelpass, to reduce the amount of fare-paying on buses. For those who do want to pay each time they travel, reducing the number of zones to three will make life easier for them and our drivers it will help to reduce the time spent in fare collection and change giving.

"If we are going to increase the number of car users we attract to the bus, journey time is an important consideration.

"Simplifying the fares system is one further way in which we can make bus journeys increasingly competitive."

Thamesdown Transport's last fare increase was in May 2001.

Mr Owen said he hoped there would be no further increases for at least another year. More details about individual fares are available on Swindon 428428.

Stagecoach, Swindon's other main bus service provider, has not announced any plans to change its pricing structure.