Issue - meetings

Paul Matthews, Managing Director of First, West of England will give a presentation to the Panel regarding the recent consultation on fares and other matters.

Paul Matthews, Managing Director of First, West of England gave a presentation to the Panel regarding the recent consultation on fares and other matters. A copy of it can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

First West of England

·  Carrying 50 million passengers per annum

·  Operating 100 local bus routes

·  Partners with West of England (WEP) Partnership in the Greater Bristol Bus Network (GBBN) project

·  Successful bid with WEP for Better Bus Area 2 (BBA2) – devolution of Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG)

·  Excellent relations with all WEP authorities and Wiltshire and Somerset councils

The Bristol Experience

·  We received 7,000 responses to the consultation in Bristol which led to substantial changes to fares in the city and the creation of a new Inner and Outer zone for day, weekly and monthly tickets

·  The results were introduced in November 2013: they have been well received by all, including politicians

·  Now have simple fare structure

·  92% of customers saw a reduction in cost of travel

·  50% off for children

·  30% off for 16-21 year olds (with ID card)

Outcomes in Bristol

·  Value for money score (PF survey) shown big improvement

·  Media neutral to positive

·  60% of customers now believe our fares are fairer

·  Up to 10% passenger growth, revenue the same

The West of England consultation on fares

·  Commitment given to conduct further consultation in rest of West of England at time of Bristol launch

·  Need to look at how people travel, and what they want from their buses, so we can design the best solution

·  Have to balance any changes to fares with the costs we face, and ensure we make a profit

The B&NES context

·  More commercial operation of early evening and Sunday services

·  Route simplifications

·  Some higher frequencies on core corridors (173/178/184/379 MSN/Radstock to Bath)

·  Further network review underway to remove loss making services

·  Working with B&NES on alternative day coach parking arrangements

The West of England consultation on fares

·  Questionnaire - online and hard copy. Available from a number of locations, and on-buses

·  16 roadshows being held to ensure people know, special events for councillors and MPs

·  Dedicated website: www.fairerfaresforall.co.uk

·  Consultation period 1 February – 16 March, 1900 responses

Summary of results of consultation

·  90% of those buying singles or returns considered the prices to be quite -32% (25%) or very -58% (71%) expensive

·  74% thought children and students should receive discounts

·  21% wanted a ‘smart card’

·  Desire to retain multi journey ticket

Current Status

·  Internal validation of proposed strategy underway

·  Expected conclusions to be announced within the next three weeks

·  Implementation expected 22 June

Smart cards

·  Full online, on bus and Travel centre top ups from July

·  Bath and other West of England period products on to smart cards in August/September

·  Multi operator cards (Avon Rider family) from August/September

·  Mobile ticketing for students expected from new academic year

Councillor Lisa Brett commented on the work of the Bath Expert Improvement Panel that had been setup and how  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9