News / Transport
Bus fares campaigner hits out over price rise
One of the key figures behind the campaign for lower bus fares in Bristol has spoken of his “deep disappointment” at the news First Bus is to raise the price of one of their most popular tickets by 10 per cent.
Dan Farr from the Bristol Bus Users group said the announcement by the new managing director of First Bus in Bristol was “not encouraging”.
He added the decision to raise the day rider ticket to £4.40 from £4 would hit the poorest and those with no choice the hardest.
“It is deeply disappointing to see First Bus has decided to mark the first anniversary of its fare changes by hiking one of its fares by 10 per cent at a time when people’s wages are stagnating and living standards are falling,” he said.
“This rise will no doubt hit those who have no choice but to rely on public transport the hardest and it is not encouraging that this is the first decision made by the new MD. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.”
Mayor George Ferguson meanwhile said he was also “very disappointed” by the announcement but insisted all the newly negotiated fares announced a year ago remained in place.
The bus operator’s new managing director announced the price rise in an interview with the Bristol Post this morning.
James Freeman blamed the rise on a 17.6 per cent rise in passenger numbers in the past year, caused by the cheaper fares introduced in autumn 2013.
He pledged more buses, more drivers and a more comprehensive Sunday timetable to “make the buses run properly” in Bristol.
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