A bus company has announced a number of ticket price rises – and acknowledges it will hit passengers in the pocket “at a difficult time”.

Chalkwell has announced its Adult Saver and Youth Ticket fares are to increase from September.

The Adult Saver covers trips in Swale, plus Swale and Medway. Its Youth Ticket for 11-19-year-olds includes the same areas.

It is also available on services in Ashford but those charges are not being raised.

A Chalkwell spokesman said: “Costs in the bus industry continue to increase - most notably vehicle parts, tyres, insurance and other items.

“With this in mind, our Youth 11-19 and Adult Saver ticket prices will increase from September 2023.

“While this will impact some of our customers at a difficult time, it is necessary to do so in order to keep bus services financially viable.”

Chalkwell’s Adult Saver includes options for one day, a week, 28 days and a full year.

The price of Swale journeys will go from £4.50 to £5.50 for one day, from £17 to £19 for a week and from £57 to £70 for a 28-day pass.

A yearly ticket will rocket from £600 to £720.

The Swale and Medway tickets will rise from £6 to £6.50, from £22 to £24, from £71 to £75 and from £700 to £770.

Chalkwell’s Youth Ticket will also see commuters paying more.

Prices for the Swale route will go up from £3 to £5 for one day, from £10 to £15 for one week and from £38 to £49 for 28 days.

There is no annual pass option for youngsters.

Those who want to travel to Medway will also have to pay more.

These tickets will increase to £5 from £4 for one day, and to £19 from £16 for one week, with a 28-day pass remaining at £65.

Chalkwell is to continue participating in the government-funded £2 maximum single fare cap scheme.

The initiative was brought in at the start of this year and applies to more than 130 bus operators outside of London.

The £2 cap will run until October 31 this year.

From November 1, it will change to £2.50 for single tickets until November 30, 2024.

Chalkwell was founded in 1931 when its first journey took passengers from Sheerness to Stoke Newington.

The company also took over the running of a key route on Monday, July 24.

The 334 service from Sheerness and Sittingbourne has been taken over by Chalkwell having previously been run by Arriva.