High bus fares 'not just First's fault'

“Couldn't agree more, their prices are ridiculous and always have been. Particularly as the prices they charge and the quality of service they provide, just do not add up!

This needs to be sorted out, ASAP.”

“Dr Rogers (Lib Dem, Ashley) who will be speaking at the demo, said: "First Bus do not have a good record when it comes to listening to the public."

This statement proves, beyond all doubt how deluded and lost in the head Jon Rogers is. Jon Rogers is a man known for ruthlessly and blatantly ignoring the public.

The guy should be removed from his post and sent to some sort of behavioral school to get some much needed intelligence installed into his head.

Jon Rogers - a berk.”

“In favor of First
1) First is a private company
2) Costs have risen (fuel has gone up and subsidies have gone down no one can argue with this)
3) We have got new buses (And yes the old ones were quite bad)
4) We all know Bristols' traffic is bad

Against First
1) If the council were worried we would of had a local transport authority a long time ago!
2) Fares are unfair in a way a return ticket for a very short distance is just as much if not more than a day rider which lets you travel all day if you wanted. A single for me is £2.90 which is mad £2.20 I would be happier about.
3) Fares could be made simpler by lowering single fares, scrapping returns, keep day rider at £4. Get rid of Bristol Bus Zones and Introduce a simpler fare one zone covering Bristol City services and one to places like Yate/Weston/Bath. And make it clear to customers where fare boundaries are.

I think First might finally be realising it is in there interest to get more people on buses and run more services. The last thing they want is a local transport authority as it will lead to lower or at least more controlled fares, possibly more competition and also greater pressure to improve times and reliability.

Will all this talk lower fares? I doubt it though we might get some promotions better improved services just to try and keep people and the council happy at least for now, hence the night bus agreement.”

“Still using stock art photos BEP? That's Temple Meads not the city centre, as you state.”

“To be fair the average speed on our roads will cost them alot. If this could be improved they could make more journey per hour and save money”

“you really got to have sawdust for brains if you think first bus is going to put down fares. theres no competition, which means , take it or leave it. you need a company who are capable of completing using the same routes, then you will see change, and not before”

“"Some outlying councils – particularly North Somerset "

Nice expression for the Toytown councils there :-)”

“Dr Rogers (Lib Dem, Ashley) who will be speaking at the demo, said: "First Bus do not have a good record when it comes to listening to the public."

I nearly fell off my chair laughing at this little gem of a quote!!!!
Definately pot, kettle, black!”

“Is it not difficult for a private company to operate where they are serving those who are least able to afford their service? Better anything, it seems to me, should receive a higher reward, yet those who are on just about enough to get by each week are not in a place to reward any bus company for a service with helpful good drivers and which runs on time, etc. Should this not be rewarded somehow though. This is surely a good thing??, not to get richer and richer, First or any, but to know that good work is rightly rewarded. It is not up to First or any to to do well with the profits they make. Hopefully??, they might put much back into good causes of all sorts, who knows. We can all lead by example in this way. Those who hoard wealth will not be happy in the long run, they will be the ones who lose out.”

“How on earth is the local authority responsible for the fare levels set by a PRIVATE company operating COMMERCIAL routes? Just who are this Mickey Mouse organisation?”