Bedminster Cllr Mark Bradshaw Calls For Rethink On Bus Fares

Bedminster councillor Mark Bradshaw is calling for First Bus to rethink its latest hike in bus fares, which are due to come into effect this Sunday.

And local Labour transport spokesman Mark is also demanding to know what has been done by Bristol City Council to try and persuade First not to go ahead with the increases.

Adult single and return tickets will increase by 10 pence, although those bus fares already costing more than £4 will be held at their current level. Child single and return tickets will increase by five pence, with single and return fares costing more than £3 held at current levels.

The First Week, First Month and First Year loyalty tickets for zones one and two will also be going up, although the price of First Day tickets has been held.

Cllr Bradshaw said: “The Lib Dem promise to reduce fares has proved to be hot air and joins a host of promises, locally and nationally, that have proved to be false.

“Like their pledge not to increase VAT, now comes another in a line of empty promises and sadly, empty buses as the fares rocket again.

“Sadly, the people of Bristol will be paying. I wonder if the Council even knew that the fares were going up.”

He added: “The Lib Dems refused to back a pilot scheme supported by many people across the city to cut fares for young people; now they are just giving into First, who are increasing fares by at least 10p for most journeys - even weekly, monthly and annual tickets are going up which defeats the object of creating a sustainable city!

“An annual bus season ticket of over £800 in Bristol (both zones) is plain ridiculous.”

A meeting of the Council’s Sustainable Development and Transport Scrutiny Commission on Thursday, 29 July 2010 heard how Bristol will not be getting a comprehensive review of bus services.