First Announces Rise in Bus Fares

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

More good news from our favourite transport company:

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=180730&command=displayContent&sourceNode=227209&contentPK=17880507&folderPk=106757&pNodeId=227220

Fares on bus services across Bath and north east Somerset are set to rise.

Operator First, which dominates public transport in Bath, has decided to review the costs of its day and season tickets.

From Sunday, August 5, frequent travellers in the area buying day, week, month, six month and yearly passes will all find themselves paying more.

The company runs some 500 buses across the Somerset and former Avon area, and says it introduced the new fares as a "last resort".

This is the first increase on day and season tickets for almost two years.

While the cost of FirstDay adult peak tickets to travel in Bath will remain at ^4, off-peak day tickets will jump from ^3.40 to ^3.70.

FirstDay child peak tickets go up from ^2.60 to ^2.70 while off-peak tickets remain at ^2.20 and weekend passes rise from ^2 to ^2.20.

Adult weekly passes for Bath bus passengers will increase from ^13.50 to ^14.20, monthly passes will rise from ^50 to ^52.40 and six-monthly passes go up from ^300 to ^312.

Those forking out for yearly bus passes will now have to pay ^572 instead of ^550.

There will also be increases on tickets for those travelling further into Somerset, Bristol and the rest of the south west.

Posters have already started to go up on buses advising customers of the changes.

First said it would cut the price of a FirstDay Bristol (peak) tickets by 40p to ^4.00 on any route in Zone 1 and Zone 2.

The operator has also reduced the FirstDay Yeovil (peak) ticket by 10p to ^3.50.

Simon Cursio, commercial director of First in Bristol, Somerset and Avon said: "This is the first time we have increased fares on FirstDay and Season tickets for nearly two years.

"That demonstrates our commitment to increasing fares as a last resort.

"I am pleased to be able to keep the average increases well below the Confederation of Public Transport cost index and, in some cases, actually reduce and hold the cost of travelling by bus, in the region."

For further information call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.firstgroup.com .

ENDS

[martyjon]

Was also similar article in the Bristol Evening Post on Wednesday (18/07/07) of fare increases in and arounf Bristol from our favourite Travel conglomerate.

[Lee]

Was also similar article in the Bristol Evening Post on Wednesday (18/07/07) of fare increases in and arounf Bristol from our favourite Travel conglomerate.

Here it is (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=17871514&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922

[Lee]

Kerry McCarthy MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) says First should keep fares down and joins calls for a Bristol Transport Authority (link below.)
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=17890951&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922