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Saturday, June 14, 2008, 07:09
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.”
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HARD ROAD: Citybus bosses say the firm's fuel costs have risen almost 70 per cent in under a year
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