Bristol bus fares go up - again

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

"Bus operator First has announced a raft of fare increases on services in the Bristol area.  The firm plans to bring in an average price hike of six per cent, starting a week on Sunday.  First has blamed the rises ^ which follow a 4.1 per cent increase in January and a season ticket price rise last July ^ on increased fuel costs.

In Bristol, most standard adult and child single and return fares will rise by 10p.  The company has also stopped a deal on the popular 8 and 9 services from Clifton to Temple Meads, where people could buy an off-peak return for the price of a single.

David Redgewell, spokesman for the Campaign for Better Transport, called on the area's four unitary authorities ^ Bristol City, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset councils ^ to subsidise fares.  He said: "The price rise will mean a small percentage of people who can't afford the new fares will walk, cycle or take their cars again.  Unless there is an integrated transport authority, the local authorities will not get people out of their cars."

For full details, see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Bristol-bus-fares/article-281257-detail/article.html

[swlines]

OOI, when was the last price rise?

Here in Bournemouth, price rises last occured on Wilts and Dorset with increases of about ^0.10 to ^1.00 a few weeks ago, but Yellow haven't increased their fares in months.

[Chris from Nailsea]

... when was the last price rise?

First has blamed the rises – which follow a 4.1 per cent increase in January and a season ticket price rise last July – on increased fuel costs.

Sorry, Tom, I can't add any more to what it says in the article: I don't use the bus at all (fortunately??) 

[swlines]

I can't read. Must be blindness creeping in my old age

[bemmy]

When I visit my brother in London I can travel by tube from Paddington to Balham for ^1.90 (with an Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) card). I can't even travel two miles for that money in Bristol. Not that I would get the bus for two miles, as it's quicker to walk.

Still, let's not blame First -- their only purpose is to make money for their shareholders, and they have been given the franchise for Bristol buses on a permanent basis, regardless of how badly they perform. I guess we're lucky they don't charge more.

I have noticed that in other cities (such as Nottingham) First provide a better service with cheaper fares, so I guess the bus franchises in those cities are for a limited period with performance targets, like the rail franchises.

[Mojo]

David Redgewell, spokesman for the Campaign for Better Transport, called on the area's four unitary authorities ^ Bristol City, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset councils ^ to subsidise fares.

I'm pretty sure that subsidising fares on commercial routes is illegal. Also, B&NES seems to have been swallowed up by North Somerset!

I have noticed that in other cities (such as Nottingham) First provide a better service with cheaper fares, so I guess the bus franchises in those cities are for a limited period with performance targets, like the rail franchises.

Non-"socially necessary" bus routes [1] are not franchised, with permission from the regional traffic commissioner (outside London) at just a 6-week (IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)) notice period, anyone can run (or not run) a commercial bus route for themselves. Some routes are subsidised because they don't make a profit, but other than that, it's all down to market forces as to what level of service is provided (as above, London excepted).

[1] Except for Quality Contracts which are virtually non-existant, until the legislation change due soon