Okehampton and District Community Transport Group will be raising the fare for a return bus journey by £1 in January due to financial pressures.

Rates will rise from £3 to £4 for a return journey within Okehampton, £4 to £5 for a trip to the surrounding Okehampton area and £5 to £6 for a longer trip.

Sue Wonnacott, manager of Okehampton and District Community Transport Group, said: ‘We haven’t raised our prices in years and our numbers [of customers] are starting to creep up again [following covid lockdowns], but when it costs £100 to fill up for a trip for one person it is not economically viable.’

The transport group are also struggling to find enough drivers and have had to turn down requests due to a lack of driver availability. Covid has only exacerbated the problem as drivers left during lockdowns and have not returned.

Ms Wonnacott said: ‘At the moment, we have to turn down requests from groups most of the time. We are happy to pay someone and still we are struggling. We want to offer [our customers] more choice. Anyone can drive, all you need is a D1 on your licence.’

Okehampton and District Community Transport Group offers specialised door-to-door bus service in the Okehampton area for those living in remote areas or with limited mobility. The service will also take people to and from healthcare appointments.