Fuel crisis for bus firm
PLYMOUTH’S biggest bus company says it is on course to lose
£700,000 this year, as the city’s public transport links
-
HARD ROAD: Citybus bosses say the firm's fuel costs have risen almost 70 per cent in under a year
struggle to keep up with spiralling fuel prices.
Plymouth Citybus has revealed their fuel costs have risen
almost 70 per cent in less than a year – and bosses are
desperate for help from the Government.
Other firms have also been hit hard – with Stagecoach
canceling a popular bus route, fishermen increasingly staying
on shore and taxi drivers struggling with costs.
Citybus has begun reducing prices in an effort to boost
passenger numbers, but has admitted tough times are ahead.
John Ackroyd, managing director, said: “At the moment, fuel
costs are affecting us severely. We’re looking at losing
£700,000 this year.”
Bus firms pay double the fuel duty of car users, which Mr
Ackroyd says has led to a rise in fuel costs to the company of
over 68 per cent.
However, he insisted no services would be cut and that many
fares had been reduced in a bid to boost passenger numbers to
offset the cost increases.
He added: “It would help if the Government rebated all the
fuel duty to Bus operators, as occurs within rail and air
travel.
“This would give a sustainable alternative to increasing fuel
charges.”
Another bus company, Stagecoach, are blaming the crisis for
their decision to withdraw the x45 service between Plymouth and
Paignton.
The bus will make its last journey on Saturday, July 26,
leaving users in stop-off points such as Ivybridge with the
“consolation prize” of a new hourly x38 service – the link
between Plymouth and Exeter.
Stagecoach in Devon’s operations director, Richard Stevens,
said: “We introduced the service last year and we’ve worked
very hard at making it a success.
“Unfortunately, a backdrop of rising costs means that it
cannot be sustained.
“Fuel prices have risen much faster than we can sustain.”
When asked which other routes are being affected by the fuel
crisis, Mr Stevens admitted: “Every single one.”
However, he insisted the bus company has no plans to pull any
other routes.
Cllr Frances Reeve, from Ivybridge Town Council, said: “I’m
very sad, as it was a popular service, but we’ll gratefully
accept our consolation prize.”
Cllr Reeve, who has been fighting for better transport links
to the town for years, added: “Hopefully, losing this service
will encourage First to improve their links to Ivybridge.”
First were unavailable for comment on the impact on its
services.
Meanwhile Dave Cuthbert, from the Plymouth Fisherman’s
Association, said many fishermen can’t afford the fuel to sail
as often as they used to.
He said: “Because of the petrol prices we’re having to be
careful about how often we go out.
“In 31 years in the industry I have never known things so
bad.”
A spokesperson for the Cremyll Ferry said rocketing fuel
prices had already led to an increase in their ticket
prices.
Taxi drivers are also facing a long, hard summer of high
petrol costs.
Taxifast driver Tania Cutts said: “I keep a full tank and can
get a couple of days out of it.
“Fuel prices have affected our profits but what can you do?
You just have to pay it.”
25 Comments
View all
by john, plymouth
Monday, June 16 2008, 2:30PM
“Dave,what are going on about??I am talking about the standard of city buses driving,this has nothing to do with chaffeur or taxi like service.Also dave i am a bus driver ok.When some kid gets killed because citybus are on the pavement in ROyal Parade the we will see whos moaning..
JOhn”
by Steve Winzer, Ivybridge
Monday, June 16 2008, 9:57AM
“I would like to challenge comments made by Mr John Akyroyd.He stated that bus companies do not receive any help from the government and that his company pay double the amount of duty on fuel than the car driver.
Bus operators in the U.K.can claim back up to 80% of the duty paid on the fuel they consume while operating local services.
Fuel duty is the same price per litre regardless of what type of vehicle you drive.
Whilst we are talking about the cost of fuel, Airlines are exempt fuel duty and vat,and are believed to receive certain fuel tax breaks from the government.On the other hand haulage and transport companies receive no help on essential user rebates.Perhaps Mr Brown believes that going on holiday by bus or plane is more essential to this country than getting food to shops and fuel to filling stations?”
by dave, honicknowle
Sunday, June 15 2008, 8:56PM
“another choice is - take the same 6 week intensive course yourself ( as i done ) and see if you can do better..... but - you wont do that - you will still be a moaner......”
by dave, honicknowle
Sunday, June 15 2008, 8:49PM
“john ... what do you expect for 50p ? .... you want a chaufer or something ? with drinks served as well ? get a life mate .... its a bus ride.”
by john, Plymouth
Sunday, June 15 2008, 8:39PM
“Maybe citybus drivers should learn how to drive a bus properly,NOT MOUNTING PAVEMENTS ALL THE TIME,DRIVING FAST,BRAKING HARSHLY.There customer care is appalling ,i mean the drivers are so rude.Let First bus take over the city,POLITE DRIVERS,BETTER DRIVERS,after all i understand they now have to have an advanced driving course.First are now cheaper in fares than Citybus HOORAH!!”
by dave, honicknowle
Sunday, June 15 2008, 7:40PM
“ian ... this may come as a bit of a surprise to you .. but - city bus dont owe everyone in their street a bus service. as an ex bus driver with no axe to grind we always found that the ones who wanted one bus a week for themselves at a particular time - and didnt support the srevice the rest of the week were the worst . i found myself telling them to get a taxi . a bus service is not a charity - even though some of te routes were kept on as such .... sometimes i would drive a 10 hour shift and go back to the depot with £8 , so could you operate a better service ? if so - then do it . and stop whinging .”
by ian, Plymouth
Sunday, June 15 2008, 7:26PM
“Nice to see City bus getting about the same level of care from the readers as they give their customers none at all.... I was also shocked to hear recently on radio Devon a lady who complained about the bus service in her area was told BY CITY BUS that she was lucky to have a bus service in her part of town as they are NOT obliged to provide a service in private housing areas but are in council estates. When asked about this city bus reasoning was that people in private housing usually have cars so don`t need a bus - HOW 1960`s is that for thinking? That was a guenuine answer from them on a Justin Leigh program I was staggered to hear it. Just wanted to share that little gem with everyone too. When they drive through these empty buses through these council estates I wonder if they wonder who all the cars belong to??? Hello its 2008!!! Everybody has a car we just want something reliable and cheap so we don`t have to use it!”
by dave, honicknowle
Sunday, June 15 2008, 7:04PM
“all the bus companys are showing us is how much the fuel has risen - how we are being ripped off . its the JRs of this world that are doing it ... a handfull of speculators creaming us . the only way you got of stopping it is for governments to put pressure on them to stop it - hence the nationwide and european wide protests .... stop arguing with each other over petty details and join in with the protetsts.... its the only choice you got if you want to stop being ripped off.”
by Julie, Saltash
Sunday, June 15 2008, 3:37PM
“I find the whole issue of bus company's losses absurd. These companies negotiate the price in advance. This is why First will not comment, they have massive buying power. They pay poor wages £7.45 in the case of First and offer below inflation rises. High staff turnover is compensated by training subsidies. The major loser is the travelling public, they are the pawn in shareholder and director bonuses.”
by EG, Plymouth
Sunday, June 15 2008, 12:16PM
“Stuart - Lucky you only having one person to worry about. Unfortuantely I have 2 kids so if we want to go shopping in town it is far cheaper to go by car and pay to park. If we are not shopping we do walk there (from Laira) but people with small children can't do this as they can't walk that far. However if my car cost anything like £140 per month I would have to sell it. The average obviously includes a lot of 4x4s doing hundreds of miles a week.”