Great Western Coffee Shop

From my mailbox:


Background - Wiltshire Council have recently cut back the concessionary fares scheme for senior pass holders, so that the council (and via them the taxpayer) only pick up the cost of people travelling on "OAP cards" after 09:30. Earlier in the morning, the services are more commercial now - with everyone paying their fare as they travel or using appropriate seasons tickets / purchased passes. There are erroneous reports out there saying that pensioner can no longer travel before 09:30 - those reports are incorrect; it's simply that they are now required to pay a fare for their travel like the rest of us.

From the report (to be validated, but it has a ring of truth) it would seem that Faresaver are now offering travel on a commercial basis to people with senior cards at (usually) 50% of the adult fare.  This seems like a very clever move indeed - they still get the money they got before (actually more because I understand that the council payment used to be about 45%), and they leave their older passengers who have to travel at that time appreciative of what comes across as a very generous gesture.   And, yes it is generous, as they've decided not to charge full whack and take full advantage of the opportunity to increase their income - so THANK YOU, Faresaver.

An email just received from Faresaver {Thank you}  - confirms that the report is correct (I may need to tweak a couple of details) and they should be following up here.  Just wanted to add a quick "yes, rumour is true" before I head off on another long journey.

I can confirm that these rumours are indeed true. Since the 1st April when the new concessionary validity periods came into effect Faresaver have offered concessionary pass holders travel at child rates. This does not only apply to Wiltshire services but also those which go into BaNES and Somerset where there has always been a 0900/0930 start time. It is indeed correct that there is very little difference between the reimbursement for concessionary passes and the value of child fares so we don't anticipate to be any better or worse off. However by foregoing a full adult fare we may be 'worse off' but we feared we might lose these people altogether and then nobody wins - our charitable act for the year!

Faresaver, can I confirm if this applies to Wiltshire Pass Holders only?

For example a Somerset County Council pass can be used for Child Fares on pre 09:00 / 09:30 services anywhere on the network? Say X34, 267 and 87?

Also this is limited to OAP Passes only or can Disability Passes be used for the offer in addition?

First Cornwall are offering a flat rate of ^2 single for concession holders pre 0930. Cornwall has had the 0930 restriction since January 2014. It's good to see these companies aren't taking full advantage to charge full whack to card holders pre 0930.

http://m.firstgroup.com/ukbus/devon_cornwall/news/5331/

This offer applies to all concessionary pass holders including those in Somerset and Bath and it also includes Disability passes who are entitled to free travel after 0900/0930.