Credit crunch leads to cheaper bus fares for Plymouth
PLYMOUTH Citybus is altering its fare structure to make it cheaper for commuters in responbse to the credit crunch.
From Monday the company will be offering all-day return fares on every route, instead of making people who travel at certain times pay higher rates.
The move has been championed by managing director John Ackroyd, who said: "We have decided to introduce all-day return fares to our customers in direct reaction to the credit crunch.
"It is something we had planned for the annual review of our fare structure in 2009 but we feel that in the current economic climate now is the time to act. "More people than ever are using our buses, not only for environmental reasons but for economic ones too.
"By doing this operational move we're able to help our passengers save a little extra money on their bus journey".
All-day return fares mean that passengers can obtain a return fare all day, every day and are not restricted to weekends only or to after 9am.
It makes it cheaper to travel to work by bus and leave the car behind.
It is part of a city-wide drive to get people out of cars and onto buses.
Plymouth City Council is taking part in promoting a Devon Car Free Day on Monday.
Plymouth Citybus has also negotiated further savings for its customers with many of the Barbican Traders.
Shops displaying a 'Discount Zone' sticker in their window are offering between five and 20 per cent discount to everyone presenting a Freedom Card or current DayRider ticket.
Marketing manager, Sylvia Bird said, "We are a city-owned company and we endeavour to work alongside other local businesses to create a working relationship that benefits both customers and residents of Plymouth."
Plymouth Citybus has a fleet of 154 buses on over 40 routes, and its buses cover 70 per cent of the city's bus network.
day (Mon 22) until Sunday, September 28.
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55 Comments
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by Susan, Devon
Tuesday, September 23 2008, 12:11PM
“What I find really annoying is that if you buy a dayrider you have to stick to that particular bus company. In London, you get a travel card and you can travel in any way you wish, bus (any company), Tube or overhead train. Does anyone find this very annoying?”
by paul, isleworth
Monday, September 22 2008, 9:59PM
“stop moaning - you now have 2 bus companies attempting to balance their books AND appease customers! If you dont like it - get off your fat ar*e and walk!”
by Penny, Plymouth
Monday, September 22 2008, 6:12PM
“Sorry, I put this post on thewrong thread!! It should have gone on the rhread about the woman attacked by the naked man. Sorry !”
by Penny, Plymouth
Monday, September 22 2008, 6:11PM
“I recall a similar incident happening in the same place, perhaps a couple of years ago. I don't think they caught the culprit, perhaps it is the same nutter. A friend has a house in this road, and the bridge area is notorious and should be avoided by women at night.”
by T, West Hoe
Monday, September 22 2008, 2:06PM
“Real Jools - there a quote a can't remember but it goes something like - resorting to slander is the first sign of losing a debate.
Anyway I get my food shopping online from Sainsburys. You have to pay for delivery. Its £5 unless the shopping is over £60/70 (i forget) it goes down to £2.50. Thye cost effectiveness really depends on how often you shop - if you only get a delivery once a fortnight for example its cheaper than driving i reckon. However i'd agree that whether this is feasible really depends on what you eat, whether you have storage etc etc. I am trying to convince my partner to let me get a chest freezer just now for that reason.
Once you have registered and done all the boring admin on the site its quite quick after that and at least you can watch telly etc while you're doing it. You get sent email vouchers for free delivery quite often as well and some delivery days are free for some reason. The driver will also take away all your plastic bags whether they are from that store or not whichis quite good I think.”
by Jools, Devon
Monday, September 22 2008, 11:53AM
“T. West Hoe. We've got rid of him at last! About shopping online, how do you find it. Not being a car owner, perhaps it is something worth considering. Glad to hear there are people who don't think a car is essential, I was beginning to feel like a bit of a freak! Seriously though, I love walking and find public transport more interesting. I met the love of my life on a Tube train in London!”
by T, West Hoe
Monday, September 22 2008, 10:53AM
“Real Jools - no worries.
Fake Jools - Azure? Euw - identikit lego flats?? As if.
And anyway....those who are optimistic, can embrace change and adapt their lives will survive the recession with ease and relish their new greener, cheaper and less stressful lifestyle. Those who do not...”
by Jools, Devon
Monday, September 22 2008, 9:30AM
“T, West Hoe. I have contacted the Web Editor asking him to check out the person putting comments in my name and to delete them.”
by Jools, Devon
Monday, September 22 2008, 9:23AM
“T, West Hoe. Unfortunately someone is impersonating me and I only left one comment on this thread addressed to you, in which I was agreeing with you. We seem to have a joker on the site at the moment. It wasn't me who left the nasty comments to you.”
by john, Plympton
Monday, September 22 2008, 8:50AM
“I used the bus to get to the City Centre for a year from Plympton, and gave up because it was unreliable and not cost effective. It takes 45mins to an hour door to door, while a car journey is 15 minutes, and more flexible. the buses were dirty, overcrowded and uncomfortable. Park and ride is not an alternative, it is not environmentally friendly as it encourages people to make more short journeys in their cars, (just count the cars at coypool that have only travelled less than 2 miles) and it is overpriced. The only advantage is that the buses are better and not full of scholl children.
Although i welcome any reduction in fares, this reduction is a token gesture for me as you can buy a day rider ticket for £3.20 before 9, a return would cost £3, so it would mean a saving of £1 a week.
In reality, the quality of life benefits of not wasting an extra hour a day (30 minutes each way) at least on a bus, are far outwieighed by using my car to get into the city.
Congestion charging although seems a good option, would just mean that more of my income gets used as taxes and is not put into the local economy giving an M effect.in economic terms.
The only thing that would get me out of my car is an urban transport system that was clean, efficient, comfortable and quick, which are available now, it just will take a forward thinking person to introduce them sooner rather than later.”