THAMESDOWN Transport has announced a popular bus route is returning and a number of bus ticket prices are increasing.

From next Sunday, May 29, the current Service 1/1A will return to its former west Swindon route and Service 2 will be reintroduced for the east of Swindon, instead of being one combined route.

Service 1/1A will continue to serve Middleleaze to Fleming Way and vice versa, whilst Service 2 will be between Covingham and Fleming Way and vice versa.

Minor timing changes will also be made to Services 15 to improve timekeeping and the Service 27 timetable will be adapted in line with customer demand.

Peter Oliver, commercial director of Thamesdown, said: “We’ve made the decision to return to the separate Services 1/1A and 2 as passenger numbers on the through route introduced last year have not reached our expectations.

“We’re focused on providing punctual and comfortable bus services across Swindon and with these changes, together with the investment we’re making in new vehicles, we hope that our customers will continue to enjoy the best possible bus service.”

Passengers will also be able to make more of the summer evenings in Swindon with the EveningRider flat fare of £2.50 becoming available from 6pm on all services, one hour earlier than it is currently.

Timetables for the new services will be available to view at www.thamesdownbus.com and available in printed form from our Travel Shop on Fleming way from May 24.

From the same date, four week and 13 week TravelPass and TravelPass Plus prices will also be changing for the first time since February 2015. Four week TravelPass and TravelPass Plus tickets will be rising by £1 and 13 week tickets will increase by £7.

Network Pass prices will be increasing by £1 for one week tickets, £3 for four week tickets and £7 for 13 week tickets.