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Title: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: infoman on December 19, 2022, 12:44:28 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap
Its a good idea,but can't find out if there are restrictions on the early morning bus's. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: bobm on December 19, 2022, 13:08:41 Looking at the Swindon Buses website, it says the offer is valid from start of service.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on December 19, 2022, 13:17:11 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap Its a good idea,but can't find out if there are restrictions on the early morning bus's. I do not believe there are any time restrictions. It's just possible that there are limits on night buses, and on things like the airport services in Bristol. I don't know you can get a £2 fare on the 02:46 from Bristol Airport to the city centre, for example. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Richard Fairhurst on December 19, 2022, 15:01:06 It's participating operators only, so although the big guys are all taking part, lots of the independents seem to have opted out - presumably, as with ENCTS, they're not being reimbursed the full amount by Government.
Locally both Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Co/Thames Travel are taking part, but I can't see any of the independents or CICs signed up. Stagecoach have (unsurprisingly!) excluded the Oxford Tube. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: JayMac on December 19, 2022, 20:30:46 The list of participating operators is missing some independents.
In Somerset/Dorset South West Coaches are participating. Its probably worth checking with independents if they are not listed. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: MVR S&T on December 19, 2022, 22:15:29 More bus in east dorset west hampshire are participating, Yellowbuses are not as they dont exist now!
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on December 20, 2022, 18:18:21 The £2 fare applies to all local bus services in Wiltshire. That and much MUCH more in a Christmas update from "our Lee" who I am especially proud of ...
(http://www.wellho.net/pix/0247_x22.jpg) (http://option247.uk/christmas2022.html) Links to http://option247.uk/christmas2022.html Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Bmblbzzz on December 20, 2022, 19:13:44 I rarely travel by bus, but IMO one of the best aspects of this, as with the London bus fares, is that you don't need to ask. You just know it's going to be £2.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Ralph Ayres on December 20, 2022, 19:30:51 You just know it's going to be £2. One of my local independents charges rather lower fares than the big outfits, and on the route I know best the fares don't get much above £2 anyway. Understandably they aren't taking part as the admin to reclaim the difference, and the overall benefit to passengers, really wouldn't be worth it.Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Ralph Ayres on December 20, 2022, 19:38:49 ...and talking of admin, I wonder if passengers will still have to state their destination and be issued with a ticket to the required fare point so the amount of reimbursement can be calculated, or if it will be done on some sort of average? I've failed to find anything online but presumably operators have been given details.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on December 22, 2022, 13:21:52 Full list at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap - good example of a nice simple list - NOT!
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Oxonhutch on December 22, 2022, 16:44:37 Full list at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap - good example of a nice simple list - NOT! Thanks Graham, I did find two of my bus routes I use included in the list with nothing so far on the companies' web sites. Might induce another couple of trips into Oxford for an afternoon pint. Always very pleasant. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Trowres on December 22, 2022, 17:26:04 Full list at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap - good example of a nice simple list - NOT! Where in this list is the 49 from Trowbridge to Swindon? (Stagecoach) Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on December 22, 2022, 18:12:04 Full list at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap - good example of a nice simple list - NOT! Where in this list is the 49 from Trowbridge to Swindon? (Stagecoach) Listed under "Cheltenham and Gloucester Omnibus Company Ltd" which is a Stagecoach operating company. Simples ;-) Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on December 22, 2022, 18:27:29 Experience bus users may chuckle, but for newcomers here is some "how to use the bus" advice from Stagecoach
Quote Buying your ticket on the bus New to the bus If you haven’t travelled by bus before, here are a few tips for a simple journey. * Plan your journey so you know which bus and route are right for you. * Make sure you take a note of the bus number. * When your bus is approaching the bus stop, just put out your hand so the driver knows to stop and let you on board. * When you get on the bus, ask the driver for a single ticket to your destination. * Your fare will be automatically capped at £2 and you can pay by cash, contactless or Apple/Google Pay. Don’t forget to take your ticket from the machine and keep it for the whole journey. * Once your payment is accepted, take your seat and enjoy the journey. * When you’re approaching your destination bus stop, press any of the stop buttons located around the bus. * When the bus comes to a stop, thank your driver as you get off. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Bmblbzzz on December 23, 2022, 17:53:10 I think it's a missed opportunity having to still ask for a ticket to your destination, rather than adopting a proper flat fare.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: ChrisB on December 24, 2022, 17:27:55 Prevents you from using it as a rover-type ticket
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: bobm on January 06, 2023, 12:48:28 Many will be aware that some long distance journeys are split in the timetable to comply with Traffic Commissioner requirements regarding local bus services.
An example is the X5 from Swindon to Salisbury which splits at Pewsey. I have confirmed with Salisbury Reds that despite that the £2 applies end to end. I assume the same will apply for the 49 from Swindon to Trowbridge (which splits at Devizes) and the S6 from Swindon to Oxford (Faringdon). Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: ChrisB on January 17, 2023, 11:15:25 If the bus continues to the end of route....if you have to change buses, it's down to the bus company's choice.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on January 17, 2023, 11:31:06 If the bus continues to the end of route....if you have to change buses, it's down to the bus company's choice. Qualified "yes". We also have a case locally where the route number changes too at the split point, and I don't know what the status is on that. And where the journey and change is between bus companies, it would be rare for the £2 to carry over - journeys such as Melksham to our main hospital in Bath, and from Trowbridge and Westbury to Salisbury which was the D1 until last year, when the D1 was truncated to Warminster and the Beeline 24 hurriedly commissioned to ensure the key bus network isn't broken. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: ChrisB on January 17, 2023, 11:36:12 Definitely NOT if between operators - two tickets required.
Same operator - of course every bus does more than one trip a aday, moving from one route to another. These tickets aren't rovers, so a change of route number is very likely to mean a new service and another £2 ticket. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Bmblbzzz on January 17, 2023, 11:58:43 I took a bus on Saturday and was pleased to discover that on First buses in Bristol at least, you don't need to state anything. Just tap on, tap off. I was told by a regular bus user later that you don't have to tap out, but it can affect the fare. If you tap out, then take another (First) bus that day, your daily fare is capped at £3.50. If you don't tap out, it's just another £2 fare for each bus with no daily or weekly limit.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: JayMac on February 17, 2023, 17:10:41 The £2 fare cap scheme has been extended for another three months until the end of June 2023.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64678990 Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: ChrisB on February 17, 2023, 18:58:44 As well as £80million further funding for the Bus Recivery grant too
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: CyclingSid on April 05, 2023, 07:14:48 More people using the bus because of the £2 limit
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65177420 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65177420) Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Fourbee on April 05, 2023, 11:54:30 It was nice to break the news to a regular Stagecoach user the other day that this had been extended to the end of June. He was delighted (uses it to get to work). I got an email from them about the extension well after I learnt about it on here.
Just shows what can be done. It would be good if the gov't could suspend/abolish the minimum fare on railcards to compete a bit with this promotion. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Fourbee on April 05, 2023, 11:57:33 Just to add I've been using the bus more as a result and agree with Bmblbzzz, it's nice to know the fare will be £2 and not some randomly high amount. I know some operators publish single fares on their websites, but at least this way you don't have to look it up or get a nasty surprise when the driver tells you. Also makes comparing singles with day/rover tickets a bit easier when weighing up what's best value.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: JayMac on May 17, 2023, 00:59:13 The £2 bus fare cap scheme has been extended again. It will now run until the end of October 2023.
From 1st November 2023 the cap will rise to £2.50 for a further 13 months, to the end of November 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65616182 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on May 17, 2023, 07:11:18 The £2 bus fare cap scheme has been extended again. It will now run until the end of October 2023. From 1st November 2023 the cap will rise to £2.50 for a further 13 months, to the end of November 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65616182 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap What about an appropriate similar scheme for trains? Sort out fares for the summer and keep extending? Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: TaplowGreen on May 17, 2023, 07:32:45 The £2 bus fare cap scheme has been extended again. It will now run until the end of October 2023. From 1st November 2023 the cap will rise to £2.50 for a further 13 months, to the end of November 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65616182 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap What about an appropriate similar scheme for trains? Sort out fares for the summer and keep extending? Ooooooooos gonna pay for it? Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on May 17, 2023, 07:43:12 What about an appropriate similar scheme for trains? Sort out fares for the summer and keep extending? Ooooooooos gonna pay for it? 1. Who is paying for the bus scheme? 2. Read me carefully - I said "appropriate" scheme not a £2.50 flat rail fare. I would wonder if it may be more "who's going to guarantee it" that "who's going to pay for it", but then it could results in trains being overfilled, and cutbacks from 10 and 9 car to 5 car, etc, have reduced capacity and made for a system which is pruned towards reduced passenger levels. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: grahame on May 17, 2023, 08:13:58 Quote The next United Kingdom general election is scheduled to be held no later than 28 January 2025. It will determine the composition of the House of Commons. I expect the £2.50 will extend until March 2025 if the election goes "to the wire". Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Richard Fairhurst on June 26, 2023, 09:50:43 Very pleased to see that Pulhams are now joining the fare cap scheme following their acquisition by Go-Ahead/Oxford Bus Company.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: ChrisB on June 26, 2023, 16:40:20 Quote The next United Kingdom general election is scheduled to be held no later than 28 January 2025. It will determine the composition of the House of Commons. I expect the £2.50 will extend until March 2025 if the election goes "to the wire". You reckon it'll go to the wire? Seriously?? :o Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: CyclingSid on June 27, 2023, 06:54:19 Very pleased to see that Pulhams are now joining the fare cap scheme following their acquisition by Go-Ahead/Oxford Bus Company. Possibly the only good thing of being acqured by by Go-Ahead/Oxford Bus Company?Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Richard Fairhurst on June 27, 2023, 14:03:17 I'd be more charitable than that! OBC have a knack for promotion and have shown they're willing to try and grow the business. Pulhams were lovely as independents, but I don't think I've ever seen a single piece of promotion for the X9 ("our" bus, Witney–Charlbury–Chipping Norton), and they only introduced card payment on it when OCC funded them to do so.
I'd pretty much resigned myself to the X9 being abandoned in a year or two and left for a community transport organisation to pick up. It may still happen but having the heft of OBC behind it gives it a fighting chance. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: bobm on June 27, 2023, 14:09:17 In Swindon we have Go-Ahead and Stagecoach. I know which I prefer. A modern fleet v an ageing one.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: JayMac on June 27, 2023, 15:44:12 Whenever I'm travelling around the UK I'm always glad when the local bus operator in a particular area is Go Ahead.
Miles *ahem* Ahead of First, Stagecoach or Arriva. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: CyclingSid on September 26, 2023, 09:37:42 Bus fares in rural England drop 11% thanks to government's £2 fare cap
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bus-fares-in-rural-england-drop-11-thanks-to-governments-2-fare-cap (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bus-fares-in-rural-england-drop-11-thanks-to-governments-2-fare-cap) How does this translate to the income of the companies who run the buses? I believe the number of rural bus routes has continued to decline this year. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Ralph Ayres on September 26, 2023, 10:52:13 I understood that the bus companies were being compensated for any lost revenue, though it's not clear to me how that is calculated. Comparing with the previous year isn't realistic cos of the pandemic, changes to routes etc, and most drivers don't bother asking where you are going so it's not based on what price you would have paid which might have gone up by now anyway. No mention of how much the overall subsidy has cost in the press release, which actually raises more questions than it answers if you look at it in detail. The sentence about fares being comparable to 2007 particularly stands out. I would hope some of the media would ask for more background, but most will probably just copy and paste what amounts to a government promotional piece.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: stuving on September 26, 2023, 11:12:54 I can't find the DfT's own version of the rules for the Bus Fare Cap Grant. This is from TransportXtra, (https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/72494/-2-bus-fare-cap-operator-payments-to-be-fixed/) who also reported the extension in May without any mention of alterations.
Quote £2 bus fare cap operator payments to be fixed Peter Stonham 29 November 2022 More details have been revealed on how operators will be reimbursed for offering a maximum £2 bus fare for three months starting in January. The Government's Bus Fare Cap Grant (BFCG) will distribute the £60m allocated to the £2 flat fare scheme planned in England outside London for January to March. Participating operators look set to be offered a fixed funding allocation in early December, before they need to confirm whether they will take part. Consultancy firm EY UK has been engaged by DfT to collect the data necessary to calculate allocations, which will be capped at £20m for each of the three months in question. Key questions being addressed in draft BFCG guidance relate to the treatment of losses or profits of those involved in the scheme, what services they agree to include – probably all their network – and the competitive consequences between those operators taking part and those not doing so DfT issued the draft guidance in early November and made clear that terms within it are subject to change. Among other provisions are acceptance of concessionary passes and the impacts of established fare capping arrangements. On services that cross borders to Scotland or Wales, only journeys beginning in England will be eligible for the grant. Calculation of the sum to be offered to each operator will be carried out via a four-stage process that first uses a baselining exercise to calculate average revenue loss per ticket, followed by forecasting of BFCG take-up and a generation factor to reflect expected growth in demand, including adjustment for passengers switching from other tickets to the £2 fare. When it announced the cap in September Ministers said offering people support during the cost-of-living crisis was a key reason for its creation, though encouragement of post-Pandemic patronage return was another. I'd guess that the amounts have been recalculated for any offer to operators for the extension. Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: JayMac on October 04, 2023, 15:18:15 The rise from £2 to £2.50 on 31st October will now not go ahead. To remain at £2 until December 2024.
Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: Phantom on October 05, 2023, 12:39:40 Great to hear
I've actually use the local bus service more in the past two months that I did in the previous two years Title: Re: Maximum two pound bus fare across most operators in England Post by: JayMac on October 05, 2023, 21:47:41 Notwithstanding my bus woes today (as told elsewhere (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=27963.0)), I too have made considerably more bus journeys since the fare cap came in.
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