Bus Fare Increases
- Thread starter Awesome Wells
- Start date
Did they board them all up
Did they suddenly think 'oh we dont need these handy way's of getting off the back of the bus
They just got new buses
sacrificed for more seats, yet also not required because Bristol buses aren't as busy as London ones so don't need the same ease of exit
why are they not as busy? because they're more expensive, less reliable etc
and so we go round again
every time someone's bought a couple of old buses and set up a new service (used to be an excellent one serving the Lawrence Weston - town route), First have run them out of business using their sheer size to absorb fare reductions, improved frequency etc. Once the competition has given up, back to the old shambles.
tbf, the 77/76/75 route has got more frequent in the last four years. It used to only be half hourly
tbf, the 77/76/75 route has got more frequent in the last four years. It used to only be half hourly
Recumbent Boy
Taking life lying down.
Really? I'm curious as to where you are starting your journey and where you are travelling to, and on what route.
*No I'm not doing a customer satisfaction survey for First
Recumbent Boy
Taking life lying down.
Ah the 76/77... I remember those wonderful years of driving those routes. I got off those routes when they moved the 76/77 from my Depot (Muller Rd) to the heathens over at Hengrove... how dare they steal my favourite bus routes
I still get misty eyed remembering when the Parson St bus lane opened.
So speaking with some authority... If you are paying more for getting on outside pieminster then you're getting ripped off. Any driver will have to show you an current and up to date (legal requirement) fare book if asked, said fare book will state quite clearly that the central area starts at Stokes Croft. It is probably a failing of the *snigger* "training school" not making sure that the new drivers are aware of the bus stops where the fare stages change.
Just for the record.
75/76/77 Fare stages southbound towards Bemmy and Hartcliffe.
Fare Stage 19 - Nine Tree Hill
Fare Stage 20 - Central Area, starts Stokes Croft and continues to The Grove opposite The Thekla
Fare Stage 21 - RedCliffe Hill
Fare Stage 22 - Bedminster Parade
Fare Stage 23 - West Street, Last stop opposite The White Lion
So for your journey Whiskey it would be 20 to 23 as you are starting in the Central Area and continuing on past Bedminster Parade. It sounds like you are getting charged from Nine Tree Hill. Any ticket bought from outside pieminster should have Central Area in the top left hand corner.
And as for the self updating ticket machines.... please don't make me cry. Oh god that would be SWEET! as would the flat rate. When I got removed from the 76/77 I found myself getting dizzy going around and around on the 8/8a and 9/9a. Pretty much a flat rate on that route, which was very nice.
Now I can be found prowling about on 4/5/8/8a/9/9a/24/25/48/49/70/73 who knows where I'll be next.
butchersapron
Bring back hanging
Have you knocked anyone down on Stapleton road yet? I don't know how you avoid doing so sometimes.
Recumbent Boy
Taking life lying down.
Thankfully I've not... although I know what you mean. Pavement lemmings seem to be more frequent along there. Although that being said the parking skillz displayed do serve as very effective traffic calming so I never seem to go more than a zimmer frame assisted walking pace.
wiskey
Albatross Admirer
Please will you come and be my bus driver again?
you've done very well at answering everything so far but . . . why isn't there a bus from bemmy to the station? (bar the stupid one that goes through town)?
Recumbent Boy
Taking life lying down.
Temple Meads is pretty much stuffed when it comes to the vehicles that try and use the bus stops there. I seriously doubt that you could fit any more busses in there. First had the No73 coming down Gloucester Rd and going to Temple Quay behind the station as they couldn't fit them into the station or on the stops at the bottom of the slope, as I understand it the people that own Temple Quay didn't like the busses stopping there as they were leaking oil on the nice paving stones there so when the agreement came to an end they didn't renew. So no new routes into Temple Meads.
As to going back to driving the 76 and 77 route. I would but that would be a rather long bicycle ride to get to Hengrove depot in the morning... hmmmm actually I'm looking at having a longer commute.
As to going back to driving the 76 and 77 route. I would but that would be a rather long bicycle ride to get to Hengrove depot in the morning... hmmmm actually I'm looking at having a longer commute.
hermitical
Well-Known Member
cheers for all the friendly advice recumbent boy, if you see a beardy white van man round Muller Road, St Werburghs etc then give me a toot!!
wiskey
Albatross Admirer
I do walk to and from the station. But after 4 12hr night shifts and when its pissing down I do sometimes wonder why there is no bus.
Jittug has put his finger on it. Oooerrrr missssus.
Outside of London there is SUPPOSED to be competition.
Where I'm from to, there were a fair few duplicate routes between Southern National and Badgerline (as was) which SHOULD have brought the price down and the service up. But both are FIRST now, so guess the result.
Likewise there was that company South Glos. etc. that were running on key routes into town for a quid. But then FIRST (who have the financial capability) compete with them, drive them out of business etc. I saw the same when I lived in Newcastle.
The ONLY way forward I see is to regulate fares and services on an integrated public transport system.
It could still give private operators the chance to make a profit, thought that isn't my priority.
But what it needs is BACKBONE from the government and BACKBONE from the various local authorities in the greater Bristol area. And while you are waiting for that bus that ranks as one of the most expensive in the UK or that so overcrowded commuter train (if it's not on fire) that it prompts a unique fare strike you can watch the porkers flying over the horizon.
Outside of London there is SUPPOSED to be competition.
Where I'm from to, there were a fair few duplicate routes between Southern National and Badgerline (as was) which SHOULD have brought the price down and the service up. But both are FIRST now, so guess the result.
Likewise there was that company South Glos. etc. that were running on key routes into town for a quid. But then FIRST (who have the financial capability) compete with them, drive them out of business etc. I saw the same when I lived in Newcastle.
The ONLY way forward I see is to regulate fares and services on an integrated public transport system.
It could still give private operators the chance to make a profit, thought that isn't my priority.
But what it needs is BACKBONE from the government and BACKBONE from the various local authorities in the greater Bristol area. And while you are waiting for that bus that ranks as one of the most expensive in the UK or that so overcrowded commuter train (if it's not on fire) that it prompts a unique fare strike you can watch the porkers flying over the horizon.
Geri
wasn't born to follow
Hardly any buses go to Temple Meads (with the exception of the 8/9) apart from the ones that have to go past anyway (those going to Bath or Wells).
If we are going there we have to get off at Old Market and walk, or walk down to Easton and get the train.
I think the ideal scenario would be to move Temple Meads closer to town.
I'm sure when wiskers moved here she said a driver had told her she could save money by catching the bus the other side of the Bear Pit rather than from the one near Pie Minister. Yet I'm also fairly certain I've been charged the same fare from there as from the other one.
It's a lottery
Whenever I get the one from Pieminster the ticket says Central Area, I think they just make it up as they go along
Ah just seen RB's postings, cheers for the explanation.
Well my ticket is being increased by 50p (First Day Southwest). Handy.
Recumbent Boy
Taking life lying down.
Oh this has been so well planned!
I thought I had this Sunday off, but it seems that I do have to work after all... so I get to be there on the first day that these new fares go into operation. Today I was informing all my passengers that the fares are going up on Sunday and how much the ticket they just bought will cost from Sunday onwards. Not one knew that the fares are going up! NOT ONE! Sunday should be a barrel of laughs then!
Damn do I feel sorry for all my poor bus driving collegues who will be trundling around on the 8 and 9 routes on Sunday. The flat £1.40 fare is going, and being replaced by a standard single and return fare structure that the other routes my lovely employers operate. So if my passengers on the 4/5/24/25 routes today didn't know that they will be required to cough up extra from Sunday, what is the betting that the peeps who use the 8 and 9 routes don't know either. I loved driving those routes as most of the passengers would give me the exact £1.40 fare and sit down. What is going to happen on Monday morning when the passengers get off the train and jump on their usual bus and find that they don't have the correct fare? They will be expecting to pay £1.40 and will be charged... oh yes I don't know! I asked at the depot exactly what the changes to the fare structure will be and I couldn't get an answer. How messed up is that?
I do sooooo love my job sometimes
And guess who will be to blame for the fares going up?
/Edit - finally got the fare info... 36 Hours before it will all kick off.
Just in case anyone wants to know what is going to happen to the fares on the 8 and 9 routes.
The fare stages are going to remain the same.
Temple Meads Station
Central Area (All stops between Temple Way and College Green)
Park Street Top
Clifton/Redland (Student Union to Elton Road)
Singles...
go only one fare stage e.g. Station to Centre
£1.30 (Adult)
£0.70 (Child)
go 2 or 3 fare stages e.g. Clifton/Redland to Centre, or Station to Clifton/Redland
£1.55 (Adult)
£0.80 (Child)
Returns...(peak- before 9am)
go only one fare stage e.g. Station to Centre
£2.80 (Adult)
£1.50 (Child)
go 2 or 3 fare stages e.g. Clifton/Redland to Centre, or Station to Clifton/Redland
£3.10 (Adult)
£1.55 (Child)
Returns...(offpeak- after 9am)
go only one fare stage e.g. Station to Centre
£1.55 (Adult)
£0.80 (Child)
go 2 or 3 fare stages e.g. Clifton/Redland to Centre, or Station to Clifton/Redland
£3.00 (Adult)
£1.50 (Child)
So not as bad as I was worried it might be, but still bad enough.
I thought I had this Sunday off, but it seems that I do have to work after all... so I get to be there on the first day that these new fares go into operation. Today I was informing all my passengers that the fares are going up on Sunday and how much the ticket they just bought will cost from Sunday onwards. Not one knew that the fares are going up! NOT ONE! Sunday should be a barrel of laughs then!
Damn do I feel sorry for all my poor bus driving collegues who will be trundling around on the 8 and 9 routes on Sunday. The flat £1.40 fare is going, and being replaced by a standard single and return fare structure that the other routes my lovely employers operate. So if my passengers on the 4/5/24/25 routes today didn't know that they will be required to cough up extra from Sunday, what is the betting that the peeps who use the 8 and 9 routes don't know either. I loved driving those routes as most of the passengers would give me the exact £1.40 fare and sit down. What is going to happen on Monday morning when the passengers get off the train and jump on their usual bus and find that they don't have the correct fare? They will be expecting to pay £1.40 and will be charged... oh yes I don't know! I asked at the depot exactly what the changes to the fare structure will be and I couldn't get an answer. How messed up is that?
I do sooooo love my job sometimes
And guess who will be to blame for the fares going up?
/Edit - finally got the fare info... 36 Hours before it will all kick off.
Just in case anyone wants to know what is going to happen to the fares on the 8 and 9 routes.
The fare stages are going to remain the same.
Temple Meads Station
Central Area (All stops between Temple Way and College Green)
Park Street Top
Clifton/Redland (Student Union to Elton Road)
Singles...
go only one fare stage e.g. Station to Centre
£1.30 (Adult)
£0.70 (Child)
go 2 or 3 fare stages e.g. Clifton/Redland to Centre, or Station to Clifton/Redland
£1.55 (Adult)
£0.80 (Child)
Returns...(peak- before 9am)
go only one fare stage e.g. Station to Centre
£2.80 (Adult)
£1.50 (Child)
go 2 or 3 fare stages e.g. Clifton/Redland to Centre, or Station to Clifton/Redland
£3.10 (Adult)
£1.55 (Child)
Returns...(offpeak- after 9am)
go only one fare stage e.g. Station to Centre
£1.55 (Adult)
£0.80 (Child)
go 2 or 3 fare stages e.g. Clifton/Redland to Centre, or Station to Clifton/Redland
£3.00 (Adult)
£1.50 (Child)
So not as bad as I was worried it might be, but still bad enough.
Recumbent Boy
Taking life lying down.
Thankfully I've not had any adverse reactions to the fare increases from my passengers and I've not heard of any of my bus driving friends having problems. I guess the public are used to the ever increasing fare prices by now.
*sigh of relief*
*sigh of relief*
First really are a bunch of cunts.
And I'm sorry to say, so are many of their drivers.
And I'm sorry to say, so are many of their drivers.
As rightfully pissed off as passengers might be, I think (-well, hope) most realise it's not actually the drivers' fault that the fares have gone up.
-That said, I've sadly heard nothing yet of angry mobs surrounding First's head office, so I wouldn't be surprised if you do get one or two passengers venting their impotent rage at you...
No one can afford the bus far to get to their bloody offices!
Recumbent Boy
Taking life lying down.
Sounds a bit like my experiences too. The buses in Colchester are rubbish at the moment- they 'forgot' to send out my bus to work the other day, I was at the bus station which is the first stop, and nobody came out to drive it until someone complained half an hour later. Also, last week, a driver went straight past me whilst I was flagging him down and the bus was nowhere near full, and I saw a bus driver shouting and swearing in a customer's face last week because he'd made him print out the wrong ticket or something. The same week, I was on a bus where a driver was getting pissed off with a bloke because his kid was autistic
eta: I know Colchester isn't the SW, so sorry! I only realised what forum this was in afterwards...
If First banned smoking their drivers would run on time.
You wait at the bus station for the bus, bus arrives five minutes before due out again. Driver gets off lights up. Gets back on when the bus is due out and then starts boarding. By the time it leaves the station it's almost 15 minutes late into a 30 minute journey. This happens every time, whatever time, so it's not just break time for the driver either.
I've yet to have a driver apologise for a bus being late, regardles of the fact i've been waiting in the freezing cold at a stop they can't be bothered to look out for for 30 minutes. First also have an annoying practise where, if the bus turns up at a stop early (say 10 minutes before time) it won't wait. So while I'm on the other side of the road, or a few yards away, they will absolutely NOT wait until they are supposed to be there. Pedantic? Not really, had they waited I'd wouldn't have missed the bus!
I could go on. But it's more than me job's worth.
You wait at the bus station for the bus, bus arrives five minutes before due out again. Driver gets off lights up. Gets back on when the bus is due out and then starts boarding. By the time it leaves the station it's almost 15 minutes late into a 30 minute journey. This happens every time, whatever time, so it's not just break time for the driver either.
I've yet to have a driver apologise for a bus being late, regardles of the fact i've been waiting in the freezing cold at a stop they can't be bothered to look out for for 30 minutes. First also have an annoying practise where, if the bus turns up at a stop early (say 10 minutes before time) it won't wait. So while I'm on the other side of the road, or a few yards away, they will absolutely NOT wait until they are supposed to be there. Pedantic? Not really, had they waited I'd wouldn't have missed the bus!
I could go on. But it's more than me job's worth.
