From September 2026, Kingston University's intersite bus service, which connects distant university accommodation sites to campuses, central Kingston, and transport links, will no longer be free.

Students will be charged a flat fare of £1.10 per journey (excluding students with TfL accessibility passes).

The decision has, unsurprisingly, been met with opposition by students, and one Kingston University student, Lucy Johnstone, has launched a petition to keep the service free.

She told Nub News: "Despite the university's claim that this charge, which is only 65p less than the TfL charge, will enable them to "invest in" and "improve" the service to "benefit students", myself and many other students wholeheartedly disagree.

"This decision has been announced suddenly with seemingly no student consultation, and we believe does not represent what students want or can afford in this financially difficult time.

"We are living in a cost of living crisis and students are facing huge financial pressure and anxiety. Rent, bills, food shops, study related costs, student loan management, and funding an enjoyable social life/university experience feels impossible."

Johnstone continued: "The university's own newspaper, The River, ran an insightful story only a few months ago about students turning to sex work amid financial pressures.

"The free intersite bus services not only allows students to attend essential lectures, meetings, and study sessions, but also to travel to work, social events, or KU sports and society events without worrying about the cost.

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"Free and accessible travel from distant University Halls to campus in the heart of Kingston or to the remote Kingston Hill site has had a hugely positive impact on many students and is being taken from us suddenly with seemingly no consultation or care for student opinion."

Johnstone's petition has already had 410 signatures.

The petition can be signed here.

The student said: "Every voice deserves to be heard and every signature counts in our fight to keep our bus services free! The petition currently sits at around 400 signatures which speaks for itself about the importance of this issue to students.

"The site also features comments/testaments from students which further demonstrate the importance of this issue.

If you are a current KU student you can also take action by emailing the university at [email protected] to voice your objection."

One student commented on the petition, saying: "I am going back to live in KU Halls next academic year and a big factor in this decision was the free buses as the service was regular enough, convenient, and crucially free.

"I am really disappointed and angered by this change as the free service allowed me to travel to lectures easily and not have to worry about the cost, especially in the cold winter months when the walk would be unpleasant.

"I have struggled with my mental health and knowing a free and fast bus service was available to me really helped me to get out and engage in life when the long walk to campus/Kingston felt too much for me.

"It definitely had a hugely positive impact on my life, and I feel sad to know it will not be available for future students"

A Kingston University spokesperson told Nub News:"Kingston University will launch an enhanced inter-site bus service this autumn, delivered by newly appointed Surrey-based Falcon Coaches.

"Passengers will benefit from additional and more frequent services, helping to ease crowding at peak times and providing greater capacity across all routes connecting campuses and halls of residence.

"A new fleet of fully electric buses will replace the University's current hybrid vehicles, supporting cleaner air across the Kingston area and reducing carbon emissions in line with the University's sustainability commitments.

"To support the ongoing operation and improvement of the service, a flat fare of £1.10 per journey will be introduced. This remains lower than the equivalent TfL fare. Those holding TfL accessibility passes will continue to travel free of charge."

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