Campaigner's Bristol bus fares petition secures city council debate
A CAMPAIGNER who set up a petition to reduce First Bus fares in Bristol has finally secured a full council debate.
Graphic designer Daniel Farr's goal of triggering a debate with 3,500 signatures was left in the balance after it emerged the petition was set up on the wrong web page.
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Campaigner Dan Farr wants First to lower its bus fares in Bristol
But after switching sites and holding talks with councillors and mayor George Ferguson, Mr Farr announced the debate has been confirmed for March 19.
He told The Post: "After speaking with democratic services last week I wasn't sure which way it was going to go. But I received a call from councillor Jon Rogers and was also notified by Mark Bradshaw – both of whom have been really helpful."
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Mr Farr, 33, will now be permitted to address the council ahead of a 15-minute debate – which can be extended at councillors' discretion.
He said he was preparing for the speech: "I have never done anything like this before, especially in front of so many councillors so it should be interesting."
He added: "A lot of the councillors have been really supportive and I will be continuing with the petition which I hope will reach 4,000 or 5,000."
Councillor Jon Rogers (Lib Dem, Ashley) said: "Dan Farr's campaign to Make Fares Fair has cross-party support in Bristol. His petition has over 3,700 signatures, enough to trigger a council debate on our bus fares. I contacted Democratic Services to support the debate at the next Full Council meeting on 19th March."
Councillor Mark Bradshaw (Labour, Bedminster) added: "Labour backs the Make Fares Fair campaign and applauds the work of Daniel Farr in highlighting the real impact of high bus fares in Bristol.
"The First Bus review must get to the heart of why fares in Bristol, particularly at peak times, are so expensive; the negative impact on passenger numbers and the scope for making bus travel more affordable.
"In Bristol, if you need to travel to work at peak times, with a family or have a complicated journey, you are paying an unnecessary premium to ride on the bus."
A survey conducted in 2011 found that Bristol has some of the highest average bus fares in the UK.
First Bus South West has promises a review of its fares through a public consultation.
Spokeswoman Karen Baxter said: "We have recently announced our intention to hold a review into bus fares and the associated value for money they offer.
"We are in the process of booking various events around the city which will be used as a means of seeking feedback about the fares charged. As soon as these events are finalised we will share the detail of them, encouraging people who use our services – and those who don't – to come along and have their say."
11 Comments
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by DecemberDawn
Friday, March 08 2013, 3:29AM
“Another area that could be asked for is a personnal card that you top up for 10 trips and you use them when you like. As it is you buy a week rider and you are restricted to 7 days, it should be if you pay for 7 days then you use them when you like still at the reduced rate as you have still given the company money up front so its still profit and they may even make more!”
by DecemberDawn
Friday, March 08 2013, 3:21AM
“First buses are revolting if you are lucky enough to get on one, Ive waited over an hour on the eveing for a bus that is expected every 15 minutes.
Apart from the prices i can not belive how Bristol have just given first the all night contracts.
How vulnerable would anyone especially a female feel stood on a bus stop for an hour at 2 am. We leave our homes in time to make our journey safe but this company is to unpredictable.
The evening buses we have after 11pm now are clean and comfortable can you imagine how filthy the First buses will be now they are on the road 24 hours a day.
The inside of the Buses are an accident claim waiting to happen with cans and bottles and newspapers and food wrappers all over the floor and if your unlucky enough you may have your shoes washed in dogs pee.
The charge to travel on these buses is rediculouse and no lower charges will ever appear. First dont hold thier own accurate details as very often you will see drivers waving people on from the back of the que who hold passes. these people are supposed to be counted to show how busy the route is, and if First ever want to stop that route then the figures are lower than it realy is.
I wouldnt mind so much the cost if they brought back the ticket man and peace keeper so i didnt have to listen to someones conversation on the phone or load music. Get conducters again and it "may" just be worth it!”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, March 07 2013, 2:28PM
“@CharlieCycle wrote, "....which is why people get the stick rather than the carrott...."
There is no carrot in Bristol!”
by charliecycle
Thursday, March 07 2013, 2:17PM
“....which is why people get the stick rather than the carrott....”
by SamSamson
Thursday, March 07 2013, 2:11PM
“Only losers take the bus...”
by ToryToMyGrave
Thursday, March 07 2013, 1:32PM
“The thing about the buses is, they could make them free and I'd still rather drive my car.
They're late, overly crowded and filthy. Taking one to town and back takes an insane amount of time and taking anything of any size on them is near impossible. Taking kids on them can be great but at the same time can be a nightmare.
Can we not just abandon the whole concept of buses and force the fatties to walk instead?”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, March 07 2013, 12:44PM
“@CharlieCycle wrote: ""GBBN has been going for years, if there is blame to be dished out, it goes far beyond the 3 LibDems."
Not for the "Fishponds Fiasco", that was all LibDem and they should take the credit/blame!”
by charliecycle
Thursday, March 07 2013, 12:38PM
“GBBN has been going for years, if there is blame to be dished out, it goes far beyond the 3 LibDems.”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, March 07 2013, 11:54AM
“@PJ1979 wrote, "There is no direct correlation between the cost of fares and the level of infrastructure investment, and before you point out that lower fares were promised. I know and agree with you that cllrs who promised lower fares to justify GBBN are idiots."
Yes, you can just imagine the conversation: "The council are going to spend £84 MILLION on GBBN which is specifically designed to improve bus flow and make travelling by car more difficult. The changes are based on performance data provided by First Bus which the council promises to keep secret, and the council won't ask First Bus for any legally binding contract to reduce the cost of fares! Where do we sign?"”
by PJ1979
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:36AM
“@DM-Fishponds
"If GBBN is a success, First Bus should have no problem reducing all their fares NOW.
Yeah Right, Im sure you can provide me with numerous examples of when a private monopoly has reduced the cost of its product due to it being more cost effective to provide it!
There is no direct correlation between the cost of fares and the level of infrastructure investment, and before you point out that lower fares were promised. I know and agree with you that cllrs who promised lower fares to justify GBBN are idiots.”