Exeter HATOC | 19 April 2012 | Bus fares

At each meeting of Exeter HATOC [Highways and Traffic Orders Committee] a recurring agenda item is councillors questions regarding bus services

For the meeting on 19 April 2012

4. Bus Services in Exeter

Bus and Coach Operators to answer Members questions

I had a question on the 22.5% fare rise on the FlexiRider multi-journey ticket

Since Graham has raided the subject of bus fare rises, I would like to ask him about the recent increase to fares on the Park and Ride services

Many residents ask me about the cost of bus fares.

They want to know why it is more expensive to catch a bus than park a car in the City Centre

They are asking if our local buses will ever be as affordable as the Park & Ride bus for those outside of Exeter?

They feel they have to deal with what they believe are “the most expensive in Europe in terms of miles travelled against cost”.

Both Michelle Hargreaves locally and Brian Souter nationally seem to agree as they both talks about average rises of 5%.

Sir Brian Souter has defended a fare hike – claiming it was a “miracle” they hadn’t risen more and says other carriers fares are up by around 8% or 9%.”

However, the prices of fares for the P&R services have risen by a minimum of 10%.

The group ticket has risen by 10%. 

The return fare and the weekly ticket have gone up by 12.5% 

Most worryingly, the Flexiticket multi-journey ticket has gone from £10 to £12.25. That’s an increase of 22.5%

So my question is why have those using the P&R services been hit with such a massive hike?

We need public transport to achieve a step change in public travel in the developments surrounding Exeter – and this can only be achieved by making our bus services truly affordable.

Do Stagecoach have a policy of raising prices on the P&R services to encourage people to drive cars to use the Exeter City Council car parks?

Can Stagecoach give any assurances about the affordability of bus fares in Exeter and the planned developments?

The minutes of the meeting record:

*125 Bus Services in Exeter

(Councillors (Councillors Clark and Macdonald attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

Arising on a question from Councillor Bull relating to high fare increases for the P&R services of 10% and 22.5 % for the multi ride Mr Bailey reported that the multi ride was a special offer of 12 for 10 journeys and that the average fare increase across the network in Exeter was 5%.

According to Stagecoach SW's own website, the cost of an adult return fare is £2.25.

My calculation of the correct FlexiRider fare is £11.25 - that's 2x £2.25 - and is a £1 cheaper than being charged by Stagecoach.

Did Stagecoach just get their figures wrong?

IMPORTANT UPDATE
At a follow-up meeting with Stagecoach management, it came to light that the printed leaflet for the P&R services had the price of £10.25.

I'm convinced that Stagecoach aren't very good at sums - th result is a costly reprint of the leaflet